The Cave of Mysteries: Nitta Tadatsune's Supernatural Encounter at Mount Fuji
- Re.JapBook
- Feb 1
- 1 min read
From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts" Series
The Shogunal Command
In 1203, Nitta Tadatsune, a brave warrior serving the Kamakura shogunate, received an unusual command from Minamoto no Yoriie. During a hunting expedition at the foot of Mount Fuji, he was ordered to explore the mysterious Hitoana (Human Cave) with a sacred sword.
The Perilous Journey
Accompanied by five retainers, Tadatsune ventured into the narrow cave where even turning back was impossible. In the pitch darkness, they lit torches only to disturb countless bats that swarmed around their faces. Their path led them deeper until they encountered a vast underground river.
The Supernatural Vision
At this crucial moment, Yoshitoshi captures the scene when a mysterious light suddenly illuminated the cavern. Beyond the river, they witnessed something so terrifying that four of Tadatsune's companions instantly perished. However, Tadatsune received a divine message instructing him to cast the sacred sword into the river.
The Divine Warning
Local elders later revealed that the cave was the dwelling place of the Asama Daibosatsu (the great bodhisattva of Mount Fuji), a sacred site not meant for mortal intrusion. Tadatsune's survival was attributed to his proper response to the supernatural encounter.
Artistic Interpretation
Yoshitoshi masterfully renders this moment of supernatural revelation, capturing both the physical confines of the cave and the otherworldly nature of the experience through his dramatic use of light and shadow.
Comments