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HANABUSA, Hideki (act. c. 1950s-70s)		From: The Collection of Noh Plays: Shakkyo (Stone Bridge) - Lion Dance
		Signed:             Hideki Seal:                  Artist's seal Date:                 1950s Size:                  ôban tate-e (c. 40.5 x 27.0 cms / c. 16" x 10 1/2") Condition: EXCELLENT impression, color and condition. - With areas of paper embossing and metallic color pigments. ref. no.: #743300 Price:  € 590.00

Print from the series: Noh hanga shû ('A Collection of Noh Plays'): Shakkyô ('Stone Bridge'). - The story is that O-e Hiromoto ( 1148-1225), one of the legendary warriors in Japan, has converted to Buddhism and became the monk, Jakushô. He went to China to practice the austerities. One day he arrives at a stone bridge at Mount Shôryôzen in China (located in the present Shanxi Province). A woodcutter boy appears. The boy exchanges words with Jakushô and tells him that the land beyond the bridge is the 'Pure Land' belonging to Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri Bodhisattva) and that crossing this long, narrow bridge arching over a deep gorge is not easy for humans (indicating the difficulty of Buddhist ascetic training). The boy predicts that the monk will see a miracle if he stays at the bridge, and then he disappears. From the other side of the bridge there comes a 'shishi' (mythical lion), messenger of Manjusri Bodhisattva. The lion plays with gorgeous, fragrant peony flowers. After dancing a lion dance, the lion returns to his designated position, which is the carrier of Manjusri Bodhisattva. (Excerpts from www.the-noh.com)

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