Frolicking animal scroll - Essay Example

"Generally speaking, Japanese picture scrolls can be divided into two main categories: religious scrolls, usually made for some didactic purpose, and non-didactic scrolls, the aim of which is purely to entertain." (Okudaira, p. 164) As their historical significance is often put into question as to if they are actually being satirical of the priesthood, in this case Buddhism, would not give proper credence to what the scrolls are meant to depict. Perhaps the virtuosity of what the scrolls depict cannot be properly translated for modern theorists in their understanding of religious entities such as the Buddhist priests.

During the 12th and 13th century, the Buddhist priest were looked upon by many as the epitome of the religious monarchism and that they should not be depicted as mere mortals. Buddhist priests, in the viewpoint of many western cultures of the time, were no doubt placed on the same level as mysterious practitioners of eastern religious figures as the Dali Lama and should be revered as such. As Buddhist clerics and priests were often celebrated, the depiction of the animal scrolls, four in total, shows the entertaining side of the Buddhist priests and thus might prove a contentious issue with respect the priests interacting with laypersons.

"The first scroll, portrays monkeys, rabbits, frogs, etc. which seem to be playfully impersonating human beings. . "The first scroll, portrays monkeys, rabbits, frogs, etc. which seem to be playfully impersonating human beings. The second scroll pictures horses, cows, hawks, eagles, lions, tigers, dragons, etc. in their natural forms; real and imaginary animals are intermingled. The third scroll is divided into two parts, with Buddhist priests and laymen enjoying games of chance in the first part, and with monkeys, rabbits, and frogs sporting in imitation of human beings in the second part.

The fourth scroll, similar to the first half of the third scroll, shows Buddhist priests and laymen at play." (Okudaira, p. 173)This is perhaps where the conception of the scrolls being satirical in nature with respect to the priesthood as it is hard to understand how and why priests would be interacting in playful activities with laypersons.It may also be conceivable that through interpretation by western cultures from what the scrolls depicted may have in fact been misinterpreted with respect to how those two centuries viewed their religious figures.

A Difference of OpinionAs much of our translations and interpretations of historical artifacts are done by western cultures, there may in fact be a difference of opinion as to what is being interpreted. From the limited resources available about these historical artifacts, it is evident that the painters of those times may have shown us a different viewpoint of what occurred during this cultural period. It would seem that not only are the members of the priesthood, the Buddhists, revered and held to high standard, but they were in fact leaders of the community that would interact with the general public.

As many believe that the painting of the scrolls came from China and entered into Japan during the Han dynasty, it