Momijigari (Autumn Foliage Viewing) : PhotoStory

Deep in mountains ablaze with autumn colors, a noble woman and her retinue appears. The curtain is drawn, a folding screen is erected, and the leaf-viewing party begins.

The color of the leaves is dyed a deeper shade by the light rain. She has a strange and dream-like beauty.

Taira no Koremochi, a great soldier, is hunting deer. He tries to pass by quietly, but the beautiful woman holds onto his sleeve.

He gives in to temptation and joins the party.

Red leaves lay on a bed of moss, highlighting the bewitching face of the noble woman.

Koremochi's heartbeat quickens at a beauty unthinkable in this world. He is completely captivated.

Cups of seasonal sake are exchanged. Koremochi watches, as if it were a vision, the elegant dance of the woman. His eyelids grow heavy and he falls asleep.

Once Koremochi is sleeping, the women disappear into the mountains.

Takeuchi, a deity in the service of the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman, appears in the dream of Koremochi and presents him with a sword, with a message that he is to slay the demon that deceived him.

Koremachi wakes up. The women, transformed into demons, appear before him. Flames are hurled against a rock, while fire rains down from the sky.

From amid the billowing smoke, a gigantic demon shows itself and attacks Koremochi.

The figure is so fearsome, its face is impossible to look at.

Koremochi coolly goes into battle with the divine sword and quickly cuts down the demon. His expression is more fierce than the demon.