Kumasaka's night attack on Ushiwaka-Maru at the Akasaka Post-station in Mino province
This triptych illustrates an episode from the life of the popular hero Yoshitsune (1159-89), who was also known as Ushiwaka-maru (young ox).
In 1174 Ushiwaka escaped from the temple and joined the armed caravan of a gold merchant on his way to northern Japan. On the journey they were attacked by a group of bandits led by Kumasaka Chohan, a giant lay-priest.
The young Ushiwaka is represented in the centre panel, battling with the bandits. A triangular beam of light cuts across the entire triptych illuminating the main characters of the encounter in polychrome colours, contrasting with the duo-tone pinks and greys of the night scene.
