The contents of this item, including all images and text, are for personal, educational, and non-commercial use only. The contents of this item may not be reproduced in any form without the express permission of Scripps College. Any form of image reproduction, transmission, display, or storage in any retrieval system is prohibited without the written consent of Scripps College and other copyright holders. Scripps College retains all rights, including copyright, in data, images, documentation, text and other information contained in these files. For permissions, please contact: Scripps College, Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery Attn: Rights and Reproductions, 1030 Columbia Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711
Description
When he was sixteen, Prince Usu of Yamato was sent by his father to suppress a rebellion by the Kumaso, an aboriginal tribe to the west. Before leaving the prince visited his aunt, from whom he borrowed female clothes. Upon his arrival at the rebel's camp, he put on his aunt's clothes, let down his hair, and concealing a sword under his robes stole into the camp where the rebels were feasting. Hiding among the women, he waited until the two chieftains leading the rebellion were drunk and then killed them both. Prince Usu is wearing an ornate necklace with with tooth or claw-shaped stones called magatama. These symbolize rank and power in Yamato culture, and even today make up part of the imperial regalia in Japan (John Stevenson & Mi Yee, Yoshitoshi's One Hundred Aspects of the Moon).
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
