National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

For representation of similar scene, i.e. 'Messengers'
search.' for Prince (and report), cf. Ch. xx. 008; xxvi. a.
003; xlvi. 007; lxi. 002.
2' 1⅜" × 7⅞".

Ch. xlvi. 005. Painted silk banner with Chin. inscr.
Upper end of painting and all accessories lost, remainder
considerably broken, but parts preserved are fresh. Pairs
with Ch. xlvi. 004.
Subject: Scenes from the Life of Buddha; four, apparently
following on those of the preceding and not elsewhere
represented. Inscr. cartouche at side of each, and painted
bands binding scenes, of same pattern as in Ch. xlvi. 004.
(Inscriptions read by Mr. A. D. Waley.)
Scene 1. Unidentified, upper half both of painting and
inscr. lost. Remainder shows personage in pink robe seated
on mat, while others in vermilion jackets and white under-
robes stand round: Śuddhodhana and attendants as in
scene (3) of preceding banner. The flowered skirt of woman
or women attendants also seen at back. In front of S.,
and apparently moving off but with head turned back
to him, is a man in black-tailed cap and vermilion belted
coat.
Scene 2. King (Śuddhodhana) and Queen (Mahāprajā-
patī?) returning to Palace. S. and M. advance to R.,
followed by two women attendants and preceded by man in
scarlet coat, who turns head round to them. Women behind
are recognizable as such by their coiffure, the hair ending in
two stiff-angled loops as in scene (3) of Ch. xxvi. a. 003,
and by long trailing skirts, quite unlike full straight under-
robes of men. They cannot be Ministers. Fig. on Śud-
dhodhana's L. is obviously a woman from her dress; gilded
orn. on head shows her to be the Queen. She wears a trail-
ing green skirt and loose brown jacket spotted with red
flowers (like the skirt of one of her attendants); lining of her
sleeves vermilion with green sprays.
Scene 3. King and Queen once again [worship?] Prince
(or perhaps, 'persuade him to return'?). The Chin. char.
used is unrecognizable. S. and Queen, dressed as in preced-
ing scene, kneel on L. of scene ½ back to spectator, S. on
vermilion flower-sprinkled mat, Prajāpati on his L. hand.
Behind them stand two (men) attendants in scarlet jackets
and white under-robes, and in R. bottom corner are remains
of third fig. (the guide?) in green coat and black-tailed cap.
In R. upper corner appears Prince as Buddha seated on
a scarlet and white lotus pedestal, with hands folded before
him. Behind him circular slate-blue vesica and vermilion
halo; on his R. stands disciple, bald-headed, in long dark
brown sleeved coat.
Scene 4. Queen parting from King and entering Back
Palace (i.e. the Women's Part). S. is not represented, only
Prajāpati, two women, and the guide. Figs. all walk to L.,
two above and two below. Queen again distinguished by
her head orn., but no trace of gilding remains on it here.
Style and colouring of whole exactly as in Ch. xlvi. 004.
Figs. spaced out in same way; no detail in any scene beyond
that mentioned, except tree in L. upper corner of each and
a smaller one in foreground of (3) and (4). Holes in silk

have mostly occurred where green paint was used, i.e. on
tree or on women's skirts.
2' 1" × 7⅞".

Ch. xlvi. 006. Painted silk banner; all accessories
and both ends of painting lost, colour much gone.
Subject: Samantabhadra on white elephant, but without
attendant. For other examples, see Ch. xx. 001. S. sits
cross-legged on lotus, both hands held out from elbow, open
and slightly downwards as though bestowing gifts; elephant
½ R., S. practically facing spectator. Bodhisattva is of type
*Ch. 002 in dress and features, but particularly feminine
and delicate in aspect, with long level eyes, straight nose,
small upcurled mouth, and mild expression. Ears are almost
normal in length and have no rings. Elephant drawn with
much character and truth to life; colouring, harness, etc., as
in Ch. xx. 001; attitude similar but reversed, all six tusks
visible.
Colouring almost entirely lost, but traces remain of carmine
on S.'s skirt, crimson on under-robe, crimson, black, and
yellow on elephant's harness, and crimson, white, and purple
on lotuses underfoot. Workmanship refined, and whole
group pervaded by air of peaceful and benevolent dignity
characteristic of deity.
1' 10" × 7⅞".

Ch. xlvi. 007. Painted silk banner, considerably
broken; both ends of painting and all accessories lost;
colour well preserved.
Subject: Scenes from Life of Buddha. Chinese in style.
Scene 1. Flight of Prince Gautama from Palace of
Kapilavastu. Shows wall and gate-tower of Palace with
two guards sleeping outside. Gate ajar, but Prince flies in
cloud over wall, while kneeling divinities in scale-armour
hold up his horse's feet. Over latter's neck is seen head
of Chandaka, and beside guards are alarm gongs on wooden
stand. Armour of little divinities consists of helmet, gorget,
and long coat of scales represented by parallel black lines on
yellow ground as in case of General, Ch. 0011. They also
wear red guards on forearm.
Scene 2. Pursuit of King Śuddhodhana's Messengers.
Two, of these, on black and piebald horses, gallop full-
speed from Palace gate. Fig. of one rider completely
lost; other carries torch; flame of his companion's torch
also preserved. In background Palace wall with red-flower-
ing tree growing over it.
Scene 3. Examination of the Musicians by King Śud-
dhodhana (?). Identification uncertain. Background again
Palace wall. King (?) enters on L. riding slowly on white
horse with red mane and tail. He is met by palace official,
whom executioner and his attendant accompany; latter are
taking along in custody two women with hands tied behind.
Women unmistakable owing to dress and white complexion
with pink cheeks; they seem prob. two of musicians who
played to Prince on night of his flight. Cf. scene (2) of
Ch. lv. 0011, where four women are seen in custody in
same connexion. The rider wears black jacket, red
bordered and open at the neck, over an under-robe,