The Battle of Yashima left of a pair of Scenes from The Tale of the Heike, mid 17th century, Tosa School, Japanese, active early 15th - 19th century, 66 1/2 x 24 in. (168.91 x 60.96 cm) (each panel), Ink, color, and gold on gilded paper, Japan, 17th century, This pair of screens illustrates two decisive battles between the rival families of the Taira and Minamoto that occurred during the Genpei Wars (1180-1185). These epic clashes were recorded in the Heike monogatari (Tales of Heike), a semi-historical account written in the early 13th century that has inspired countless paintings and dramatic plays ever since. The battle of Ichinotani, on the right, illustrates Minamoto Yoshitsune's daring attack of the Taira camp. By leading his warriors in a mounted charge down a steep mountain at daybreak, Yoshitsune successfully took the Taira troops by surprise, forcing them to flee by ship. The left screen shows one of the most celebrated feats of martial skill in Japan's history. The Taira for