The Slaying of the Nue: Inohayata's Decisive Moment at the Imperial Palace
- Re.JapBook
- Jan 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 25
From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts" Series
The Imperial Crisis
During the late Heian period (1151-1154), Emperor Konoe was plagued by mysterious nocturnal terrors. Each night, an ominous black cloud would appear from the northeast direction, accompanied by blood-curdling cries that left the emperor in a state of deteriorating health, resistant to all medical treatments and prayers.
The Hunt for the Supernatural
The court summoned the legendary archer Minamoto no Yorimasa to investigate these disturbances. Accompanied by his loyal retainer Inohayata, Yorimasa kept vigil in the palace gardens. At the Hour of the Ox (around 2 AM), they witnessed the emergence of a strange black cloud from the kimon (demon's gate) in the northeast.
The Mythical Beast
The creature they encountered was the legendary Nue, a chimeric being with the face of a monkey, the body of a badger, the legs of a tiger, and the tail of a snake. This fearsome creature had been the source of the emperor's torment, its otherworldly cries echoing through the imperial grounds.
The Decisive Moment
Yoshitoshi captures the climactic moment when Inohayata delivers the coup de grace. After Yorimasa's precise arrow struck the beast from the sky, Inohayata rushed forward with his short sword to finish the creature. The print dramatically depicts this final confrontation, with Inohayata restraining the wounded Nue while preparing to deliver the fatal blow.
Historical Legacy
The successful slaying of the Nue not only restored the emperor's health but also earned Yorimasa the prestigious sword "Shishiō" (Lion King) as a reward. This legendary blade, now designated as an Important Cultural Property, resides in the Tokyo National Museum, a tangible reminder of this supernatural encounter.
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