Conquest of Shutendōji

Important cultural property

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Artist: Kano Motonobu( 1476 - 1559 )/Konoe Hisamichi/Johoji Kojo/Shoren'in Sonchin
Number of components: Set of 3 handscrolls
Format and materials: Color on paper
Dimensions (in cm): Vol. 1: H. 33.0, W. 1751.7/ Vol. 2: H. 33.0, W. 2100.0/ Vol. 3: H. 33.0, W. 2788.9
Date of production: Muromachi period 16th century 1522

This set of scrolls tells the story of how Minamoto no Raikō, the Four Guardians, and Fujiwara no Yasumasa gained the divine protection of the gods of Hachiman, Sumiyoshi, and Kumano to quell the demon Shutendoji. Kanō Motonobu of the Kanō School and his students painted the scrolls, which were commissioned by Hōjō Ujitsuna of Odawara. The eye is drawn to the gorgeous depiction, which combines gold paint with deep verdigris and ultramarine. Depending on which school of thought consulted, the demon dwelled on either Mt. Ōe in Tamba Province or Mt. Ibuki in Ōmi Province. This set of handscrolls is the oldest extant example of the latter.

Notable Works

Conquest of Shutendōji

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART