"Illustrated Legends of the Kitano Tenjin Shrine," Unknown Artist, late 13th century.

This scroll painting, from the Kamakura period, depicts a scene from the legendary life of the Shinto deity Tenjin, who originally was a poet, scholar, and statesman named Sugawara Michizane (845–903), who was slandered at court and died in exile.

Various natural disasters occurred after his death, which in Shinto belief indicates a restless and wronged spirit. In 942 his spirit somehow indicated he wanted to be honored at a shrine in Kyoto, where he was deified as Tenjin, a god of agriculture and a patron of the wrongfully accused. His worship later declared him a patron of literature and music.

This scroll shows how a dragon came out of the body of the minister who slandered Michizane, and declared he was wrongfully accused. The minister then dropped dead.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

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