A wild flower blooms in the moonlight as a black butterfly gently alights. The perspective of being so close to the flowers and butterfly, along with the mysterious colors, lend the picture an air of fantasy. Kondo Komei was born in a Buddhist temple of the Tendai school in Tokyo and became a monk at an early age. He retained his deep connection with Buddhism through his art. He says he started painting flowers after being impressed by the alpine flora he saw when he was learning to fly gliders at the foot of Mount Yatsugatake during his youth. The "magical flowers," as he describes them, symbolize Pure Land Buddhist-style gardens, which were thought to illuminate and console the minds of people.
(HASEGAWA Tamao)
A wild flower blooms in the moonlight as a black butterfly gently alights. The perspective of being so close to the flowers and butterfly, along with the mysterious colors, lend the picture an air of fantasy. Kondo Komei was born in a Buddhist temple of the Tendai school in Tokyo and became a monk at an early age. He retained his deep connection with Buddhism through his art. He says he started painting flowers after being impressed by the alpine flora he saw when he was learning to fly gliders at the foot of Mount Yatsugatake during his youth. The "magical flowers," as he describes them, symbolize Pure Land Buddhist-style gardens, which were thought to illuminate and console the minds of people.
(HASEGAWA Tamao)