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Japanese Two-Panel Screen: Kushinada-hime and Yamata no Orochi

Circa 1960, this dramatic two-panel screen depicts Kushinada-hime, the legendary heroine of Japanese mythology whose rescue by the storm deity Susanoo from the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi is among the most enduring stories recorded in the Kojiki, Japan's earliest historical chronicle. Executed in heavy mineral pigments and gold leaf on paper, the composition juxtaposes the serene figure of Kushinada-hime against the shadowy, shimmering presence of the serpent, creating a powerful balance between vulnerability and mythic grandeur. The work is by Kamakura Hideo (1930–2017), an accomplished Nihonga painter celebrated for his revival of classical Japanese themes through a distinctly modern sensibility. Finished with a red lacquer frame, the screen exemplifies Kamakura's masterful use of traditional materials to reinterpret Japan's literary and religious heritage.