The Japanese word jai, which is used in the title of this work, means to cremate the body of a deceased person and sooth their soul. Here the cremation of the Buddha, founder of Buddhism, is depicted. A coffin containing the corpse was lined with fragrant wood and doused with scented oil, and yet it did not catch fire. Then the disciple Mahakasyapa prayed, smoke wafted up and pure petals fell from the sky. The disciples now gather around sorrowfully. Kanzan is thought to have referred to 15th-century European paintings in order to portray people praying in a large image like this. The second person from the right is the artist himself, depicted as a disciple.
(KASHIWAGI Tomoh)
The Japanese word jai, which is used in the title of this work, means to cremate the body of a deceased person and sooth their soul. Here the cremation of the Buddha, founder of Buddhism, is depicted. A coffin containing the corpse was lined with fragrant wood and doused with scented oil, and yet it did not catch fire. Then the disciple Mahakasyapa prayed, smoke wafted up and pure petals fell from the sky. The disciples now gather around sorrowfully. Kanzan is thought to have referred to 15th-century European paintings in order to portray people praying in a large image like this. The second person from the right is the artist himself, depicted as a disciple.
(KASHIWAGI Tomoh)