Menuki

[Ian]

hello all

 

Most themes I eventually get, but this one’s got me stuck!

Can anyone help?

 

Regards

[Ford Hallam]

...well that's clearly the severed forearm of an Oni, or more accurately a demon in this case...the story is obvious... I'm certain I'm not the only one who is familiar with this one

[Goldy]

Rashomon?

[SSt]

Hi

Supect it alludes to the Oni attempting to steal the Buddha's reliquary.

There is an orphan menuki at the BMFA that shows what happens a moment later.

 

http://www.mfa.org/collections/search_a ... ll_start=1

 

Usually the other menuki (of the BMFA set) shows Idaten chasing him.

[Nobody]

I think that they are three hunted cranes in a sack and a broken board of a prohibition order.

The writing on the menuki is 禁札 (Kinsatsu), which means a prohibition notice board.

 

When Sadato (貞任: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_no_Sadato ) was routed to Oze (尾瀬), he ran short of provisions. He found that three cranes living in Oze were prohibited by Yoshiie (義家: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Yoshiie ) to be hunted. He made his retainer hunt the cranes. Then he handed over the criminal (the retainer) to the authorities and got a reward to prepare the provisions.

 

 

Ref. 戸倉伝説 (Tokura legend) http://www.oze.gr.jp/~ozeisa/oze/densetu2.html

貞任は厨(くりや)川の戦いに敗れて尾瀬にのがれ、ここに城を築いたが、にわかの事で糧食が乏しいので、尾瀬に棲む三羽の鶴に、義家の禁札がついているのを幸い、郎党に打ちとらせ、その罪人を所の役人に届けて賞金を貴い、それによって糧食をととのえたが、のちに撃った鶴をあわれんで、その墓を作ってやったという。(戸倉伝説)

[Bungo]

as presented in another medium............

 

milt

[Ted Tenold]

From Symbols of Japan, Thematic Motifs in Art and Design, by Merrily Baird;

 

Arm of a Demon. The artistic presentation of a forearm with fist refers to a legendary episode in the life of Watanabe Tsuna, a retainer of the Heian-period warrior Minamoto Yorimitsu (Raiko). Watanabe is said to have accepted the challenge of spending the night at Kyoto's Rashomon Gate, which was haunted by a fearsome demon. When the demon appeared and touched him on the head, Watanabe responded with a slash of his sword that severed the demon's arm.

[Ford Hallam]

I thought the menuki referred to this story; Watanabe no Tsuna click the link to learn more if you're interested.

 

I admit the notice board has me puzzled although they were frequently posted at the entrance gates to cities and towns so could conceivably be an oblique reference to the Rashomon. The walking stick may have been used by the demon when disguised as an elderly lady

[Nobody]

as presented in another medium............

 

milt

The shape of the forearm of the Oni in the picture is very persuasive, though the motif is not Rashomon but Momijigari of Taira no Koremochi.

 

 

I admit the notice board has me puzzled although they were frequently posted at the entrance gates to cities and towns so could conceivably be an oblique reference to the Rashomon. The walking stick may have been used by the demon when disguised as an elderly lady.

The notice board also appears in the story of Rashomon. It was carried by Watanabe no Tsuna when he went to the Rashomon. Now I agree that the motif may be Rashomon as you said.

[Brian]

All I can say is...Wow...you guys are good

 

Brian