Legends of Kitano Tenjin (Kitano Tenjin engi)

This fragment comes from a narrative handscroll depicting the story of courtier Sugawara Michizane (845–903) and the founding of Kitano Tenmangu shrine in Kyoto. An eminent scholar, poet, and calligrapher, Michizane died in exile after being falsely accused by his enemies. His tormented spirit returned to earth later in the form of terrifying thunder and fires. To calm him the court built the shrine, where Michizane’s deified spirit is venerated even today.

In this scene Michizane, demoted from his court rank, is living in exile in Dazaifu. The occasion is the annual chrysanthemum festival, when he takes out robes presented to him by the emperor. He sits with three attendants lamenting the changed circumstances that befell him in less than a year. All four men are crying, using the wide sleeves of their robes to absorb their tears.