Kawakita Kaho (1875–1940) 
Prince Ōtōnomiya Escaping to Kumano 
Japan, c. 1900–1912 
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk 
Gift of Terry Welch, 2021 (2021-03-023)

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Historical subjects played an important role in the canon of modern Japanese painting, following precedents of other national styles in Europe, and a long tradition of historical painting narratives in Japan. Historical subjects featured prominently in the annual national exhibition, in which Kaho thrived, eventually being appointed a juror. 
 
Prince Ōtōnomiya (1308–1335), seen here traveling deep in the mountains with a military cadre, was a key figure in the fall of the Kamakura shogunate (1185–1333). Ōtōnomiya was the head abbot of an influential Buddhist temple. When his father, the emperor Go-Daigo (1288–1339), challenged the shogunate, Ōtōnomiya left the temple and made his way to Kumano—the scene shown here—where he raised troops to support his father. Eventually, they convinced the powerful warlord Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358) to join them, and for a brief period Go-Daigo was restored to power. 
 
However, when Go-Daigo overlooked Takauji in favor of Ōtōnomiya and the other princes, Takauji fabricated charges against Ōtōnomiya and had him beheaded; Ōtōnomiya was only twenty-seven years old. Takauji would go on to establish the Ashikaga shogunate (1336–1573), and it would not be until 1868 that an emperor was once again restored to power.