Portrait Said to Be Minamoto no Yoritomo (Color on Silk)

The Famous Portrait of a Shogun at Jingoji

The Portrait Said to Be Minamoto no Yoritomo (Color on Silk) (絹本著色伝源頼朝像) is a Kamakura-period portrait owned by Jingoji in Umegahata Takao-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, which in 1951 was designated a National Treasure.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a single hanging scroll in colour on silk, attributed to Fujiwara no Takanobu and owned by Jingoji.

The Kyoto City Tourism Association describes it as a portrait traditionally identified as Minamoto no Yoritomo, first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate.

The Portrait

According to the tourism association, the sitter is shown seated in court dress, holding a baton and wearing a sword, and the work is attributed to Fujiwara no Takanobu.

Jingoji also holds the Portrait Said to Be Taira no Shigemori, likewise a National Treasure attributed to Takanobu.

What to Look For

The tourism association praises it as a portrait full of vigour and dignity, excellent in conveying the inner character of the sitter.

The name reflects the tradition that the sitter is Yoritomo; the official title includes the word "said to be".

Visiting the Portrait Said to Be Minamoto no Yoritomo (Color on Silk)

The tourism association says it is usually shown specially from 1 to 5 May. Jingoji is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

It is about 20 minutes on foot from the Takao bus stop. Enquiries: Jingoji, 075-861-1769.