Like his comrade Sakanoue Tamuramaro, the Heian general Bunya no Watamaro (765-823) symbolizes loyalty to the imperial line. We see Bunya here dressed in white furs, stoically accepting the surrender of groveling Ebisu rebels, in a scene from the campaign to purge enemies of the emperor from eastern Honshū. Bunya gained fame by suppressing a revolt against the imperial court led by the outcast Empress Kusuriko in 811. His victory elevated him to the rank of shogun and proved him a dedicated protector of the emperor-a role that was especially popular in the Meiji period, when the emperor regained political power after a hiatus of nearly 700 years.

The spirit of the Japanese warrior has its roots in Japans classical myths from as early as the 4th century. These tales featured characters of profound physical strength with a quick mind and fierce sense of dedication to the emperor or ruling clan. These prototypical warriors had impressive pedigrees, often linking them to Chinese royalty or even gods, and their ambitions and feats often exceeded the expectations of their forebears. While many of these characters can be seen as examples of extraordinary achievement and talent at an individual level, they are also celebrated for their selfless devotion to their families, clans, and masters. A number of warrior legends from this period involve an aggressive expulsion of rebels and barbarians from what was considered imperial land in an attempt to maintain the integrity of the ruling clan against external threats. During this era, Japanese notions of a tragic hero, or “loser-hero,” were created, an archetype defined as a warrior who suffers an inglorious death or defeat after a life spent winning and completing noble deeds.