Legends of Kitano Tenjin (Kitano Tenjin engi)

This painting was originally part of a narrative handscroll (emaki) that told the story of Sugawara Michizane (845–903) and the founding of the Kitano Tenman-gu shrine. In the Shinto, after their death some persons of superior talent came to be regarded and were worshiped as spirits (kami) or supernatural beings. Michizane, an eminent scholar, poet, and calligrapher, is a prominent example of such a being. He was deified and given the title "heavenly deity" (tenjin), and a shrine dedicated to him was founded in Kyoto's Kitano district. Thus he came to be known as Kitano Tenjin. Even today, Michizane is widely worshiped as the patron saint of scholarship.

This painting depicts the scene in which Michizane, demoted from his court rank, is living in exile in Dazaifu. There he welcomes the annual chrysanthemum festival on the 9th day of the 9th month by taking out the robes presented to him by the emperor. He laments the changed circumstances that had befallen him in less than a year. Michizane and his attendants are all shown crying, their sleeves soaked with tears.