Tawara Tōda Hidesato Protecting the Dragon King's Daughter by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi Image: “Hidesato had the family name of To [Fujiwara] and was a resident of Tahara in Shimotsukendo-kuni [present-day Tochigi prefecture]. He was a master archer with unparalleled shoulder strength. Numerous examples of his distinguished war-services include the occasion when he and Taira no Sadamori shot arrows at Masakado and killed him. His reputation as an archer was godlike. With a single arrow he struck the giant centipede of Mount Mikami, archenemy of the Dragon Lady of Seta, and destroyed it.” - Kikubatei Rokō Photo Courtesy of ASU Art Museum
“Hidesato had the family name of To [Fujiwara] and was a resident of Tahara in Shimotsukendo-kuni [present-day Tochigi prefecture]. He was a master archer with unparalleled shoulder strength. Numerous examples of his distinguished war-services include the occasion when he and Taira no Sadamori shot arrows at Masakado and killed him. His reputation as an archer was godlike. With a single arrow he struck the giant centipede of Mount Mikami, archenemy of the Dragon Lady of Seta, and destroyed it.” - Kikubatei Rokō Photo Courtesy of ASU Art Museum

Tawara Tōda Hidesato Protecting the Dragon King's Daughter

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The story illustrated by this image centers around the deeds of a legendary figure from Heian-period Japan. The archer Hidesato served the emperor Masakado so well that he was even granted a governorship. The story describes Hidesato’s visit to Lake Biwa, where he is invited to join the Dragon King, and was introduced to the King’s daughter Otohime. Their meeting is violently interrupted by a monstrous centipede.

In this image we see Hidesato as he prepares to kill the monster as it tries to attack Otohime. Hidesato is stringing up his bow while his gaze is fixed on the monster. The monster is seen flying in from the upper left corner with his eyes ablaze like fire. The waters of Lake Biwa are seen churning behind the characters in the dragon King’s underwater palace. Otohime seems to look at us with a sidelong glance, as if she knows that Hidesato will win.

Do you see any connections between this picture and the intense martial arts action and flying actions that are common in modern anime?

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