The Tenjin Shrine Scrolls [one of a pair] c. early 17th century

The *Tenjin Shrine Scrolls* were created by the Tosa School, purveyors of Yamato-e style painting. It's an approach, which often featured narratives, and emerged during the Heian period. The scrolls illustrate the story of Sugawara no Michizane. He was an exiled scholar who later became deified as Tenjin, the patron of learning. Michizane was a powerful figure in the Imperial Court and the right-hand man to the Emperor. He was exiled because of the Fujiwara clan who accused him of plotting against the Emperor. In his despair, it is said that he wrote poems on walls and doors. Notice the detailed depiction of courtly life, with figures seated in a formal setting. The Tosa school artists aimed to capture not just the visual likeness but also the emotional resonance of their subjects, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of justice and redemption. The painting reflects on the complex relationships between power, social status, and individual identity.