栄華を極めた平家が衰退の一途を辿る平安時代末期において、苛烈な戦さに身を投じ運命に抗い続けた智将、平 知盛。その生き様は後世にも語り継がれ、歌舞伎『義経千本桜』や能『碇潜』にも描かれ、今なお愛されている。
Taira no Tomomori was a resourceful general who risked his life by throwing himself into fierce battles at the end of the Heian period. At this time the once prosperous Taira clan was at a steady decline. This story of bravery has been handed down from generation to generation, and continues to be depicted in the Kabuki drama “Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura” and Noh drama “Ikari Kazuki” which are both loved depictions.
知盛は源氏との争いに敗れ、壇ノ浦にて海に身を投げて自害するが、その際、浮かび上がって晒し者になり辱めを受けるのを避けるため、巨大な碇を担いで入水したと伝わっている。“碇知盛”の通称で知られるこの一幕は非常に有名で、その気高い覚悟が共感を呼び、刺青のモチーフとしても好んで使われる。
Tomomori lost the battle with the Minamoto clan and to protect his honor threw himself into the sea at Dannoura to commit suicide. He was said to have entered the water carrying a huge anchor so he would not be exposed and humiliated. This act, commonly known as “Ikari Tomomori,” shows noble determination and evokes sympathy and is also a common motif in irezumi.
ここでは、死してなお本懐を果たさんと源義経の前に亡霊となって立ちふさがる、悲しくも勇壮な知盛の姿が精緻に富んだ針仕事で見事に描かれている。
In this beautifully crafted piece, the sad and brave figure Tomomori stands in front of Minamoto no Yoshitsune as a ghost.
