Illustrated Legends of the Kitano Shrine (Kitano Tenjin Engi) (detail). Kamakura period (1185–1333), 13th century. Japan. Handscroll; ink and color on paper; 11 3/4 x 28 ft. 3 3/4 in. (29.8 x 863 cm). Fletcher Fund, 1925 (25.224b).
A bit later Tokihira is seized by a strange and hideous affliction—two serpents appear from his ears. When the beleaguered aristocrat summons his wisest men to help him, the curse proves beyond their powers and the snakes hiss at them to leave.
