A striking medium-sized six-panel byôbu 屏風 (folding screen) depicting the dramatic ‘Race at the Uji River’. This scene illustrates a pivotal moment from the fourteenth-century epic The Tale of the Heike 平家物語 (Heike monogatari), one of Japan's most celebrated medieval battle narratives. It portrays the legendary rivalry between the warriors Kajiwara Genta Kagesue 梶原源太景季 and Sasaki Shirō Takatsuna 佐々木四郎高綱 as they race to be the first to cross the turbulent Uji River 宇治川 and engage the enemy. The bridge has been stripped by rebels, forcing the warriors to ford the violent currents. On the left, Kagesue leads atop the powerful black horse Surusumi. Close behind, Takatsuna rides the chestnut horse Ikezuki. Using wit to gain the upper hand, Takatsuna shouts that Kagesue’s saddle girth is loose. Distracted, Kagesue pauses to check, allowing Takatsuna to surge ahead, bow in hand, and seize the glory of being first to the other side to the currently ongoing battle. The sky adorned with subtle gold leaf specks. Executed in colour and ink on paper, the composition is bordered by elegant silk trims: a narrow blue inner border and a ecu and broad golden outer border. Encased in a black lacquered wooden frame with metal protective hardware with a scrolling foliage design. Period: Japan – Taishô period (1912-1926). Dimension: Total width 277.4 cm (2 x 47.7 cm and 4 x 45.5 cm), Height 125 cm. It is in a good restored condition with a some traces of wear conform age. Some repapering of the backside. Please have a look at the photos for a clear condition reference. The folding screen is ideal for mounting flat on a wall and presenting as a single work of art. When shipped, we will include a certificate of authenticity.