SHAKA GOICHIKI DAI KI ZUE: THE STORY OF SHAKYMUNI'S LIFE. [THE BUDDHA]

HOKUSAI, Katsushika.

About this Item

[Osaka 1845, Kawachiya]. Orange stitched wrappers, 6 vol.set very nice copy in original and worn blue silk Chitsu, clips lacking, original title paper slip case used as inside cover to the Chitsu, 17.5 x 25 cm., 25+38+38+37+35+34+29+36 double . *** **** *** . . THE LEGENDARY AND SELDOM FOUND . . . * Copy notes: continued: "leaves Japanese text, 33 single & double page illustrations by the master signed: Zen Hokusai Manji Rojin." . * Profusely & marvelously illustrated by Hokusai, with some of his best & most famous impressive graphics of the Buddha, his life and the Sangha. This is perhaps one of Hokusai's best and most famous works. . Like all Buddhist art, the mere fact of drawing the Buddha image, or copying Buddhist texts or sutras is a form of Buddhist faith & obeisance, earning merit in Buddhism. Hokusai like most Japanese of the period were devout and faithful Buddhist delighted to express fervor and belief by saying prayers. . It was more than likely not the main reason for Hokusai to undertake this work. Nevertheless, surely in the back of Hokusai's mind, was the additional benefit of earning 'merit' in the Buddha's eyes for drawing and publishing this work. After all a little 'insurance' is a good thing. . Text were written by Yamatoya Keizo. . *** THE STORY CONTENTS: . This work is written in a Jataka [stories of rebirth] format, simple, direct and even parables or true from stories from the Buddha's pasts. . They show by example to the Sangha [the Buddhist community] what the "Righteous Path" is by telling stories with examples; showing right from wrong. Dukkha [suffering] is one of the main themes, and the associated punishments for "wanting, greed, wrong livelihood, and other sins" are herein illustrated. Most of the scenes are set in a tropical background, with banana and other warm climate plants. Since the Buddha was from tropical India, this work shows the Japanese idea of that setting. Sanskrit is also written appropriately, but the Japanese text is for a lay public. . Great serpents and demons are illustrated as omens, many of the people illustrated are in lavish Chinese or Korean gowns, showing the movement of Buddhism from India through China & Korea, as it progressed to Japan. . *** THE CONTENTS OF EACH VOLUME: * Vol. 1 begins with illustrations of the Gods of the Elements: Sky, Earth, Wind, Water, Fire and a picture of the Lotus, a flower that grows in the most filthy of atmospheres but sends up the most beautiful & fragranced flower, representative of human life. . Vol. II shows a great gathering of the Sangha as they see the young Shakyamuni standing on a lotus blower as the Heavenly Two-Headed Dragon blows his powerful breath upon the Buddha giving him life. Other great and holy Gods in the Heavens also look upon the Buddha as he is born of the Lotus. Later the powerful and older Buddha suppresses a wild elephant, fights great horse-mounted warriors. . Vol. III shows the Buddha as he is seated beneath the Bo Tree [ficus religiosa] as he speaks to disciples. One impressive illustration shows Shakyamuni as he meditates on a craggy rock, with a gigantic four-eyed daemon who tries to distract him. . Vol. IV shows Shakyamuni as an itinerant priest, another shows great warriors with spears and lances being fended off by the Master's great radiant powers, later one shows a Heavenly Demon holding a lance with a small lantern suspending a Sake bottle with a Swastika [Buddhist] design, under which are two naked and highly emaciated men who float in black space likely for drinking too much.the last one show a sinner with face to the floor as each arm is held fast by the feet of two stick wielding Bodhisattva s as they thrash his backside as Shakyamuni looks on. . Vol. V starts with a great prayer meeting of the Sangha as Shakyamuni displays two Mudras as two disciples sit on either side of him on a high pedestal while other Bodhisattva s look on; one beats the prayer drum & another hits the bronze gong while th. Seller Inventory # 85001701

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Title: SHAKA GOICHIKI DAI KI ZUE: THE STORY OF ...