Battle on the Uji Bridge, based on a chapter in Tale of the Heike

平家物語　橋合戦図屏風

This painting represents the famous scene from Tale of the Heike (written in the 1200s) of a fierce battle between the Genji (Minamoto) and Heike (Taira) armies. Though the Genji had torn up the Uji River bridge, the main Heike force pushed on toward it. Some two hundred horsemen of the vanguard were thrown into the river and drowned. At the lower left can be seen a Heike squadron carrying flags and attempting to cross. Other Heike soldiers are already drowning in the river beneath the bridge. Above the bridge, acrobatic swordsmen from the opposing armies are locked in combat.