Painting, Penis Parinirvana, nehanzu parody, Japan, Edo
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Very rare painting of death of Buddha, in which a golden penis is substituted for the Buddha, female private parts for the Malla women and two grief-stricken penises for the leading disciples of the Buddha, Ananda and Mahakasyapa. They sit in front of a six-panel screen decorated with sala trees. The three-headed deity behind the bier is holding a dildo and other pleasure bringing paraphernalia. Scattered around are a rooster and a hen, two mandarin ducks, eels, clams, daikon, ginger, scallions, mushrooms and other creatures that are symbols of union in happiness, fertility or contain sexual allusions. Very rich painting in black ink, mineral colors, gold and gofun on silk. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.
Measurements: painted area 17.5 inches x 25.25 inches; mounting 53.5 x 30.25 inches.
Few light brown spots, tiny insect hole in gold, otherwise excellent condition.
Very rare painting of death of Buddha, in which a golden penis is substituted for the Buddha, female private parts for the Malla women and two grief-stricken penises for the leading disciples of the Buddha, Ananda and Mahakasyapa. They sit in front of a six-panel screen decorated with sala trees. The three-headed deity behind the bier is holding a dildo and other pleasure bringing paraphernalia. Scattered around are a rooster and a hen, two mandarin ducks, eels, clams, daikon, ginger, scallions, mushrooms and other creatures that are symbols of union in happiness, fertility or contain sexual allusions. Very rich painting in black ink, mineral colors, gold and gofun on silk. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.
Measurements: painted area 17.5 inches x 25.25 inches; mounting 53.5 x 30.25 inches.
Few light brown spots, tiny insect hole in gold, otherwise excellent condition.
This type of painting fits in the catagory of mitate nehanzu, parodic nirvana images, as were being produced since the medieval period. They should not be seen as objects that ridicule Shaka or Buddhism. We see in this genre priests taking the place of Shaka, poets, famous actors and vegetables. For more on the subject, see D. Max Moerman, Dying Like the Buddha: Intervisuality and the Cultic Image, in: Impressions, No. 29, 2007-2008, pp. 24-57.