Football match at Hokoji temple

法興寺蹴鞠図

This fragment of a painting depicts the rise of Fujiwara no Kamatari (614–669), founder of the Fujiwara family line which—with its close connection to the imperial court—came to dominate the political and cultural scene of the Heian period (794–1185). Here, the painting and the text, written in gold against the red background in the bottom right, recount the occasion on which Kamatari and Prince Naka no Oe (626–672) formed an alliance that eventually led to the defeat of their opponents, the Soga family, in 645.

This painting shows a group of court officials playing football (kemari) under a tree on the grounds of Hokoji Temple. The prince (in a white robe) had lost his shoe in the heat of play and was bridling at the mocking laughter of Soga no Ikura (lower left). Kamatari returned the shoe to Prince Naka; this kind gesture strengthened their alliance. In 661 the prince ascended the throne as Emperor Tenji, and he bestowed the name "Fujiwara" on Nakatomi no Kamatari and his descendants. Scholars have conjectured that this fragment is from a handscroll that narrated the complete history of the Fujiwara family.