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

against a red nimbus, surrounded by grey-green. The vesica is green with red and
mauve-grey borders and above it is visible the top of a stylized Bodhi-tree in
black and white. Before the throne is a tessellated pavement crossed with white
lines, and a step or foot-stool of the same style. The front of the foot-stool is
mauve and the panel on each side green. Below the throne are two narrow bands—
mauve and red—suggesting a step or the curb of a pool of green water on which
float a red and yellow duck and three red balls (jewels).
The devotee on the Buddha's right, large portions of whom are missing, seems
to wear a simple mauve-grey tunic bordered with buff, reaching to the knees, and
he kneels on a green mat. The figure at the Buddha's left, whose face is discoloured
and hair white (or it may be discoloured), is clad in a dark red monk's robe, edged
with buff. He kneels on a mauve mat.
At the top of the picture sits a grey vulture whose presence indicates that this or
the adjoining mountain is the Gṛdhrakūṭa hill. In the lower green lozenge the
badly damaged figure of the seated Buddha has the same colouring as the upper
Buddha. On his right is a devotional monk with tanned flesh, grey hair, and a red
robe with grey overlap at the breast.
To the left, in the red lozenge, appears the side of a throne, similar to that
already described, but with latticed panels of mauve, red, and green. A figure kneels
beside it with arms outstretched, probably presenting an offering. He wears a
green mantle edged with buff, a red tunic, and a mauve skirt. Behind him grows
a mauve pine-tree contoured with white.
The figure in the white lozenge to right seems to be a person of some conse-
quence. Seated at his ease on a stool, his right foot lightly touches a green mat on
the ground and the left leg is drawn up in squatting pose, bringing the foot against
his lap. He wears a sort of kilt, green edged with white; and a grey stole floats
behind his shoulder. Behind him rises a green pine-tree.
The figures are of the tall, long-limbed, narrow-waisted type, with disk-like
faces and scratchily drawn features. It is peculiar to this type that the eyebrows
meet at an acute angle, giving a disagreeable expression.
The whole is an interesting composition, and although very fragmentary and
faded, is still a charming piece of colour.
The imbrication scheme of diaper decoration used here and elsewhere in
Turfān mural decoration is a brilliant variation of the monotonous repetition of
squares containing seated Buddha figures commonly used in Buddhist shrines all

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