Princess Takiyasha summons a skeleton spectre to frighten Mitsukuni

a triptych by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861),
Edo period (1844)

From a 10th century legend: Princess Takiyasha was the daughter of the provincial warlord Taira no Masakado who tried to set up an 'Eastern Court' in Shimōsa Province in competition with the emperor in Kyoto. However, his rebellion was put down in AD 939 and Masakado was killed. After his death, Princess Takiyasha continued living in the ruined palace of Sōma.

This print shows the episode from the legend when the emperor's official, ōya no Mitsukuni, comes to search for surviving conspirators. The princess is reciting a spell written on a handscroll. She summons up a giant skeleton which comes rearing out of a terrifying black void, crashing its way through the tattered palace blinds with its bony fingers to menace Mitsukuni and his companion. (British Museum)

Από εναν ιαπωνικό θρύλο του 10ου αι.: Η πριγκίπισσα Takiyasha εκδικείται τον θάνατο του επαναστάτη πατέρα της Masakado που ήρθε σε ρήξη με την αυτοκράτορα, καλώντας με μαγικές φράσεις έναν τεράστιο σκελετό-φάντασμα να επιτεθεί στον απεσταλμένο του αυτοκράτορα Mitsukuni και τον συνοδό του που ήρθαν στα μέρη της για να καταστείλουν τις τελευταίες εστίες εξέγερσης.