Uenaka Chokusai (1885–1977) 
Divine Wind 
Japan, 1920s–1930s 
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk 
Gift of Terry Welch, 2021 (2021-03-029)

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Like Prince Ōtōnomiya Escaping to Kumano also in this exhibition, Divine Wind depicts an episode from Japanese history, an important genre of modern painting that was promoted through the annual national exhibition. 
 
During the second half of the 13th century when Mongol expansion throughout Asia was at its height, Kublai Khan attempted to invade Japan twice, in 1274 and 1281. The Mongols sent an overwhelming force estimated at 30,000 troops and 3500 ships, against only approximately 6000 Japanese defenders. In both attempts the Mongols reached as far as the western island of Kyushu, but each time their fleet was caught by devasting storms, which the Japanese believed were “divine winds” (kamikaze) raised by the gods to protect the islands. 
 
Chokusai’s painting shows a Japanese ship in the foreground, as well as Japanese soldiers on foot and horseback on the shore. They watch as the hapless Mongol ships in the midground, seemingly within bowshot, are turned on end by the storm, indicated by strong diagonal lines descending across the composition to the left. The miraculous destruction of the Mongol fleet led to a belief that Japan was divinely protected from invasion, which took on nationalist significance during the 20th century, culminating with WWII. However, Chokusai’s painting was likely made several years before the nationalism of the war period reached its zenith.