The work of Nihonga (modern Japanese-style painting) artist Imamura Shiko, who passed away in 1916 at the young age of 35, can be divided into two periods based on the nature of his themes. The first was during the Meiji Era (1868–1912), when he produced many works based on historical figures and stories, and the second was during the Taisho Era (1912–1926), when he incorporated Western techniques to develop new forms of expression in landscape painting.
This work is from the former period, and depicts the historical figure Mongaku Shonin, a Shingon Buddhist priest who lived during the late Heian (794–1185) and early Kamakura (1185–1333) periods. After being exiled to Izu for soliciting donations from the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Mongaku is said to have had a chance meeting with Minamoto no Yoritomo, whom he urged him to attack the Taira clan. The figure of Mongaku sitting on a rock with a vajra bell and prayer beads in his hand is probably based on the episode known as "The Austerities of Mongaku," from Chapter 5 of The Tale of the Heike.
(KASHIWAGI Tomoh)
The work of Nihonga (modern Japanese-style painting) artist Imamura Shiko, who passed away in 1916 at the young age of 35, can be divided into two periods based on the nature of his themes. The first was during the Meiji Era (1868–1912), when he produced many works based on historical figures and stories, and the second was during the Taisho Era (1912–1926), when he incorporated Western techniques to develop new forms of expression in landscape painting.
This work is from the former period, and depicts the historical figure Mongaku Shonin, a Shingon Buddhist priest who lived during the late Heian (794–1185) and early Kamakura (1185–1333) periods. After being exiled to Izu for soliciting donations from the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Mongaku is said to have had a chance meeting with Minamoto no Yoritomo, whom he urged him to attack the Taira clan. The figure of Mongaku sitting on a rock with a vajra bell and prayer beads in his hand is probably based on the episode known as "The Austerities of Mongaku," from Chapter 5 of The Tale of the Heike.
(KASHIWAGI Tomoh)