The Dragon Princess's Champion: Fujiwara no Hidesato's Battle with the Giant Centipede
- Re.JapBook
- Jan 29
- 2 min read
From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts" Series
The Warrior's Encounter
This dynamic print captures the legendary tale of Fujiwara no Hidesato (also known as Tawara Tōda), a renowned warrior of the mid-Heian period. The story begins at the Seta Bridge over Lake Biwa, where Hidesato fearlessly crossed over a great serpent blocking the path—an act that would lead to an extraordinary adventure.
The Dragon Princess's Request
That night, the serpent revealed itself as a Dragon Princess from Lake Biwa's depths. She sought Hidesato's help against a monstrous centipede terrorizing her underwater kingdom. The creature was so enormous it could coil around Mount Mikami seven and a half times.
The Divine Battle
In Yoshitoshi's print, we see the climactic moment of confrontation. After his first two arrows proved ineffective against the beast, Hidesato prepared his final arrow. Invoking the protection of Hachiman, the god of warriors, he anointed the arrow with his saliva, believed to possess demon-quelling powers, and took careful aim at the creature's forehead.
The Rewards of Valor
For his successful vanquishing of the centipede, Hidesato received magnificent gifts from the Dragon King: inexhaustible silk, an endless supply of rice, and a magical cooking pot. Most significantly, he was presented with the legendary sword Mukadegiri ("Centipede Cutter"), which would later be enshrined at the Grand Shrine of Ise.
Artistic Interpretation
Yoshitoshi masterfully renders this supernatural encounter, capturing both the tension of the moment and the mythical grandeur of the scene. The print shows Hidesato's unwavering concentration as he faces the monstrous creature, while the Dragon Princess watches from the safety of her underwater palace.
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