国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

pigment was used. Extensive abrasion and scaling have destroyed much of the

colour and have exposed the gypsum priming.

Above, to the left, is the lower part of a padmásana, and on the right can be seen

the carelessly drawn bare feet of a figure standing on rocks. Drifting clouds separ-

ate   p

ate these upper subjects from the processional scene below.

The general character of composition, drawing, and colour closely resembles

that of Bez. x. K—O, plate xxiv. There is, too, the same obvious enjoyment in

the portrayal of the grotesque demons, and similar treatment of the animated

drapery of the richly clothed figures; the same restlessness and overcrowding of

the picture. It is probable that one artist is responsible for both pictures and that he

was a Chinese.

Bez. x.N,O

This is a part of the picture Bez. x. K—O, plate xxiv, and has been described in

the note on that plate. This enlargement brings out more clearly some of the

interesting features. The artist in the black skull-cap is seen much better here and

particularly the delicate pose of the sensitive right hand. It may be of interest to

students of Chinese calligraphy to note that the manner of holding the brush by

this artist for picture painting is not that usually adopted by Chinese scribes for

writing. On the head of the bearded Nága, the serpent with open mouth and forked

tongue is also perfectly clear. For further description the previous note on this

picture may be consulted.

Bez. x. D—F, I, J

These come from the west side of the plinth standing near the south end of the

cella. Two groups, each of four worshipping figures, are seated on lotuses right

and left of a stream or lake contained between eroded banks, water-worn into a

succession of irregular points or tongues conventionally divided or contoured by

bands of yellow, outlined with black, running inland, a manner of expressing

grassy downland usual in these Central Asian paintings. In the centre of the stream,

near the foreground, is an island, and in front of this, on a grassy knoll, stands a

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pe

large pear-shaped object resembling the traditional oil jar, but perhaps a jewel.

A similar `jewel' stands on each bank with a willow tree growing beside it. Farther in the distance are other trees and some conical mounds, perhaps represent-

ing mountains. One such mound stands on the left bank, in the foreground.

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