Japanese Hanging Scroll of the Kitano Tenjin Engi Emaki, Edo Period

Story

Sugawara no Michizane was a brilliant 9th-century scholar unjustly exiled, whose vengeful spirit supposedly caused natural disasters until he was pacified and deified as the god of learning. This scroll acts as a visual biography, turning a tragic historical exile into a cosmic tale of redemption.

Maker / Origin

The scroll is signed 'Heian Minamoto Hideitaka' (平安 源秀高) with an accompanying red artist seal. This signature suggests an artist working in Kyoto (historically referred to as Heian-kyo) who aligned themselves with classical Yamato-e painting traditions, likely during the mid-to-late Edo period when interest in historical narratives experienced a major revival.

Condition & Value

The scroll shows minor creasing, light toning, and age-related wear consistent with an antique Japanese paper hanging scroll. The mounting and wooden rollers appear intact, and the accompanying wooden box has preserved the colors remarkably well. Good preservation overall.