『源平合戦図屏風』 

Editor: Here we have a screen painting, title is "Picture of the Battle of Heiji," made with tempera and watercolours and attributed to Kanō Motonobu. It's quite a sprawling scene! I’m struck by how chaotic and violent it looks, yet there's this strange beauty in its intricate detail. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This screen offers us a powerful glimpse into the Heiji Rebellion, a pivotal moment of upheaval in 12th-century Japan, as seen through a later lens. The artist situates us within a moment of intense political conflict, framed by a distinctive Yamato-e style, emphasizing narrative. The screen is a visualisation of power and its fragility. Who are these figures, fighting amidst such detail? Editor: I guess they represent the clashing factions within the Japanese court, maybe with the artist glorifying one side or critiquing the chaos of the era. How does understanding the social context of that time influence how we interpret the scene of a historic battle, or, rather, how the battle is *narrated*? Curator: Exactly! Consider the choices made by the artist: the dynamic composition, the bursts of vivid colors against the gold leaf, which is now aging to this wonderfully yellow hue. These elements elevate it beyond a simple historical record and places it into dialogue with later Japanese interpretations of their own fraught past. Does the use of miniature give an overview or contribute to feeling overwhelmed by this painting? Editor: That’s interesting! The miniature details makes me feel distant from the depicted bloodshed while at the same time highlighting all those details. Curator: I would say that in engaging with "Picture of the Battle of Heiji," we find ourselves invited to contemplate the complexities of history, and how power dynamics and narrative collide within visual culture. Editor: I never considered that this historical artwork prompts consideration of today's society as well. Thanks, that really broadens how I see this screen!