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

means of iron nails. The whole is oblong, the short edges
vertical.

Upper and lower borders are carved with a group of five
(upper) and three (lower) mountain peaks as the central
feature, the central peak supporting an uncarved boss
or disc. R. and L. a sinuous snake-like, three-toed dragon
with almond-shaped hairy tail, energetically striding
away from centre ; but neck and head recurved towards
centre. Head was carved in separate piece and in each
case is missing, the dowel only remaining. Body scaly.

Floral scroll-work of trefoil leaves in profile forms a
background to dragons on a generally slightly lower
plane. Vertical sides have five Chinese cloud scrolls with
the edge of a kind of sunflower throwing out five long
curving streamers. Background to clouds similar to that
of dragons. Corners of torus have finely designed peonies
in profile.

Whole carved in typical Chinese style such as used in
lac-carving. The bold curve of contour of moulding
conveys a fictitious impression of high relief in the carving.
The work is pierced through and hollowed away at back
in a semi-tubular form, similar to 'decorated' Gothic
work.

Inner border about ⅜″ thick, flat, and carved with
V-cuts into very accurate Chinese fret. One long side
(top) only preserved. On fret are two crouching hares
facing each other at a distance apart of ¼ the length of
border ; carved in separate pieces, rather flat, and pegged
on, each with three wooden pins. Corners masked by
separately carved peony (one remaining) pegged on. The

four circular bun-shaped bosses along centre are pierced
like torus, and the Chinese chars. have background of clouds.
Well preserved. Size over all 3′ 6½″ × 2′ ½″. Breadth of
torus 3½″, projection 1¼″. Width of inner border (fret)
1¼″. Diam. of bosses 4½″. Pl. LXVIII.

Ma-ti-ssŭ. 011. Rect. Tibetan canvas painting, bordered
with black and brown striped silk. Wooden stiffener at
each end.

Subject : Buddha enthroned, holding bowl, from which
flames appear to proceed. R. and L. are standing atten-
dants each carrying a similar bowl and a staff with loose
rings and Vajra as insignia. The pillar on each side of
Buddha is composed of an elephant, a lion, and a man in
black top-boots wearing a mask. Above, cloud scroll of
elaborate type, from which develops a dragon on each
side, and a blue jewel. Immediately over centre of main
fig., a flying Garuda-like creature.

Bodhisattvas and demons are lavishly distributed over
general ground, with a background of blue sky and clouds.
Poses of figures are dramatic and well drawn. Several
types of head-dress are worn.

Two or three (?) Tibetan characters recur frequently on
Āsanas, and haloes. On central Padmāsana, a character
seems to have been written on each petal. Final painting
has not followed original sketch, which has come through
in places. All flesh is gilded except that of demons.
4′ 4″ × 2′ 5½″. Much worn on surface.

SECTION III.—RETURN FROM THE NAN-SHAN TO MAO-MEI

Proposed
Nan-shan
explora-
tions.

On July 16th we were able to resume our journey. As planned by me, it was to take us first
down the valley to the monastery known as Ta-ssŭ, at the entrance of the unexplored gorge through
which the Kan-chou river breaks through the range northward, and thence up the main western
branch of the river to its sources, which in 1907 we had been able to survey only from a considerable
distance.¹ Thence I proposed to make our way to the head of the Ta-t'ung valley near the point
where we had touched it on the former journey from the side of the Su-lo-ho sources.² After
descending this valley to the east of the pass which connects it with O-po, I wished to cross the
easternmost offshoots of the Richthofen range, as yet unsurveyed, down to Liang-chou. It was
a programme which, having regard to the work to be done far away in the west during the autumn
and winter, was practicable within the time available—provided that we could keep our reluctant
transport in hand, as we had managed to do in spite of all difficulties during our previous explora-
tions in this region.

Riding
accident.

But Fate, adverse this time, had decided otherwise. As we marched down the wide open valley,
for the most part in drizzling rain, there was little to distinguish our surroundings from the monotony
of a Pāmir, except for the rich growth of grass. Over the level ground of the valley bottom, about
three miles across, Tangut herds and flocks, including hundreds of ponies, roamed everywhere.
Accompanied by the two surveyors I had tramped on for fourteen miles by the track leading above
the left bank of the O-po-ho, when we were brought up by a side stream swollen by the rain and