Scene Below the Nachi Mountain Waterfall: Mongaku Shonin (Endo Morito) Saved by Fudo Myoo, and his Attendants Seitaka-doji and Kongara-doji
Artist
Toyohara Kunichika 豊原 国周
(Japanese, 1835–1900)
Date1893
Mediummulticolored woodblock print, oban triptych
Dimensions35.7 x 23.4 cm (14 1/16 x 9 3/16 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. George W. Hauser and family, in memory of Dr. & Mrs. Ernst A. Hauser
Object number1991.69
Label TextDeeply regretting the unintentional murder of his lover Kesa, Morito became a monk and assumed the name Mongaku Shonin. As atonement he went on a pilgrimage and began a lengthy penance under the icy Nachi waterfall. According to legend Morito/Mongaku almost froze to death but endured, thanks to the Esoteric Buddhist deity Fudo Myoo.
The hardships of the ill-fated Morito/Mongaku were recorded in early classics and captured the imagination of later playwrights. This triptych illustrates a scene from the Kabuki play, Mongaku at Nachi Waterfall, showing actors in the roles of Mongaku, holding a bell and a Buddhist rosary; Fudo Myoo with flaming halo, sword and noose (to catch evil and tie together the faithful); and his acolytes, the white Kongara-doji holding a lotus and the red Seitaka-doji leaning on a gilt iron staff (tetsu-bo). Japanese warriors often prayed for strength to the wrathful, "immovable" Fudo Myoo and decorated their swords, armor and helmets armor with his bonji (sacred Sanskrit character). Notes:Samurai SpiritProvenanceGift of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hauser and family, Sudbury, MA., in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Ernst A. HauserOn View
Not on view
Toyohara Kunichika 豊原 国周
1876
Another Garland of Swashbuckling Heroes of the Shrimp Barbershop (Mata shimekazari isami no ebidoko)
Toyohara Kunichika 豊原 国周
1863
Toyohara Kunichika 豊原 国周
n.d.
