FIRST MAN ACROSS THE UJI RIVER FROM TALE OF THE HEIKE

In the Genpei Wars in the 1180s, the planks of the Uji Bridge were torn up by the Taira to defend the nearby Byodoin Temple. Here, the Minamoto warrior Takatsuna, astride Ikezuki, scores a coup as the first man to cross the river. He tricked Kagesue into pausing to tighten his horse's girth.

For a discussion of other famous scenes from Tale of the Heike, see lot 622.