Love and Fear on the Musashi Plain: Kajita Hanko's Masterpiece from the Tales of Ise

I want to share with you a work of art you might not be so familiar with. Goethe once made a comment about minor artists and their place in the grand scheme of the art world:

"Even the minor artists have their place in the constellation of art, like little stars in the firmament. They, too, contribute to the beauty and completeness of the whole."

One little star in Japanese art history is Kajita Hanko (1870-1917). One of his designs, a postcard in fact, has recently enraptured me. It is the exquisite "Musashi Plain (Musashino)" from episode 12 of the "Tales of Ise" series. It shows two lovers hiding in the tall grass as flames approach: torches of people hunting them down. I love this simple yet evocative design so much, I've even made a copy of it for my desk.

The "Tales of Ise" (Ise Monogatari) is a classic Japanese literary work, a collection of poems and narratives from the Heian period. Episode 12, from which Hanko's painting draws inspiration, tells a gripping and emotional story. The protagonist goes off with a woman and, as they reach the Musashi Plain, he realises the danger of being captured by the provincial governor’s men. The pursuers, suspecting the man is hiding in the plain, set it on fire. In her panic, the woman cries out:

武蔵野は

今日はな燒きそ

 若草の つまもこもれり

我もこもれり

Please dont burn,

Dont burn, the grasses

of the Musashi plain.

My beloved hides here,

and I do, too

This poignant poem, spoken in a moment of desperation, implores the pursuers not to burn the plain, highlighting the woman’s fear and her plea to save both herself and her lover. The poem encapsulates themes of love, danger, and the impermanence of life, which are central to the "Tales of Ise." The poem is one of the most famous and has been depicted numerous times by artists.

Katsukawa Shunsho (1726-1792, Episode twelve, "Musashino" (Musashi Plain), from Fashionable Brocade Pictures of the Tales of Ise

The reason I am attracted to Hanko's "Musashi Plain" is its remarkable simplicity. Instead of depicting each blade of grass individually, the field is portrayed as a vast green expanse with glimpses of the lovers moving through it and the flames of their pursuers. The flames alone are sufficient to convey the fear of being captured, without the need to show the pursuers or their faces. Hanko's artwork serves as a testament to the lasting impact of art in stirring and motivating us.

Now, to delve a bit deeper into my personal experiences, this artwork resonates with me because I've also gone through the situation of falling in love with someone despite disapproval from both our families. We used to retreat to the park and create a cozy spot among the tall grass. It wasn't about hiding from people with torches although it maybe felt like that in our minds, but rather feeling a sense of safety and security, even if only temporarily, shielding ourselves from the family conflicts. Hanko's portrayal of the Musashi plain resonates deeply with me, serving as a timeless masterpiece that continues to spark inspiration.