“Scroll of Frolicking Animals and Humans” Exhibition at Kyoto National Museum

                                          11/18/2014

　Kozan-ji temple’s ( which came out in the famous Japanese popular song " 女ひとりOne Woman" sung by Duke Eisesu ) “Scroll of Frolicking Animals and Humans”  exhibition is now showing at Kyoto National Museum. It is a Japanese national treasure and was drawn in the Heian and Kamakura eras (AD 794〜1333). Since it has been fading during these long years, it was restored over three years lately and finally it is being shown to us at this time. Although it is said to be drawn by Toba Sojo (bishop) till now, the true artist is not known. Various scenarios are drawn and it is said to be the first written manga in our country. In total it includes 4 rolls and each roll is 30 cm in width and it exceed 44 meters in total. Roll Ko甲巻 , the 1^st roll, is known for the humorous behavior of rabbits, monkeys, or frogs: Roll Otsu乙巻, the 2^nd roll, seems to be an animal pictorial book. People who amuse themselves with various games appear in the first half of Roll Hei丙巻, the 3^rd roll, and animals also try games in Roll Tei丁巻, the 4^th roll. And the second half of Tei tells of people's humorous figures. We went to see the exhibition of the 2nd volumes of the second half.　

　Mr. Nagaoka and I went to see this exhibition together but he saw this picture at Kozan-ji when he was young. I also saw them at Kozan-ji temple in my school days.　My recollections of 50 years ago, when I enjoyed the wonderful autumnal leaves of  Kozan-ji and nearby temple Jingo-ji, are far memories and this time revived my  appreciation. We both were impressed by these wonderfully restored pictures. Under the influence of these great pictures, Mr. Nagaoka is drawing pictures of frog caricatures in his own style and he has been enjoying himself by drawing caricatures, such as frogs on his PC. Japanese comics and animation have the No.1 reputation in the world, but we saw precious historical original art.

　After enjoying this exhibition till just before the museum closed, we went to Owariya soba restaurant ( buckwheat noodle shop) which dates back to the Muromachi era(about 500 years ago), located in Karasumaru Oike. But I was sorry it closed early at 6:30 p.m.　So, we came out to Shinkyogoku reluctantly and we ate Otowaya’s mushizushi, steamed sushi, with a side dish and a little drink. It was a nice time and moreover, I would like to go out to visit the brilliant autumnal leaves of Kozan-ji in Toganoo, Kyoto again with him in the near future.