Illustrated Biography of the Patriarch of the Kegon Sect of Buddhism



kegonshusoshieden

A different take on women and serpents. In this story, a Korean woman falls in love with a Chinese priest but he is honest with her about his committment to celibacy. When the priest returns to China, she transforms herself into a dragon to safely carry him back home. Here the power of female passion has been transformed into a power for good. Not surprisingly, this illustrated tale was written for a group of aristocratic women.

Source: MIRACLES & MISCHIEF, p.57. Kamakura period, 13th century. Set of four handscrolls; ink and colors on paper, 12 1/2 x 435 1/16 in (31.7 x 1105.4cm). Kouzanji, Kyoto. National Treasure. figure 20.