Week 3+4 Flashcards
Buddhism
Religion originating in Nepal
Queen Maya
Buddha’s mother
Immaculate Conception
Buddha’s birth not through vaginal means.
Buddha’s Birth
Buddha born from the thigh
Seven Steps
Buddha takes seven steps at birth
Dragon Bath
Ritual involving dragons
Buddha’s First Bath
Celebrated on April 8
Hokusai
Artist known for ‘Storm below Fuji’ woodblock print.
Hiroshige
Artist known for ‘Plum Blossoms’ woodblock prints.
Karma
Law of cause and effect in Buddhist belief.
Bodhgaya
Location where Buddha attained enlightenment under Bodhi tree.
Four Noble Truths
Core principles outlining suffering and its cessation.
Noble Eightfold Path
Guidelines for ethical and mental development in Buddhism.
Icon
Anthropomorphic representation of a deity for rituals.
Iconography
Standardized representation of archetypal characteristics.
Style
Visual manner of depicting iconography.
Expanded Cranium
Physical characteristic indicating Buddha’s enlightened state.
Minamoto no Yoritomo
Founder of the Kamakura shogunate in Japan.
Hungry Ghost
Buddhist concept representing beings suffering from desire.
Kusozu
Graphic depiction of corpse decay in Japanese art.
Rituals
Practices in Buddhism for various spiritual purposes.
Cosmological Solution
Buddhism’s approach to understanding the universe.
Spiritual Breakthrough
Achieved through ascetic practices and enlightenment.
Death and Grief Rituals
Buddhist practices addressing loss and mourning.
Compassionate Person
Buddha’s realization of universal suffering through his journeys.
Kusozu
Painting depicting nine stages of a decaying corpse.
Nine stages
Systematic meditation on corpse decay in Buddhism.
Kusokan
Contemplation on the nine stages of decay.
Buddhist doctrine
Teachings promoting meditation on decay’s impurity.
Thirteenth to nineteenth centuries
Period when kusozu paintings were created in Japan.
Formats of kusozu
Includes handscrolls
Pietistic catharsis
Emotional release through religious meditation practices.
Didactic incentive
Motivation for pursuing paradise through teachings.
Intercessory offering
Rituals for the dead during merit transferal rites.
Feminine morality
Political themes in popularized kusozu interpretations.
Sutra on the Samadhi Contemplation
Early text introducing nine stages meditation.
Discourse on the Great Wisdom
Text detailing decay stages for meditation.
Contemplation on impurity
Meditative practice overcoming enlightenment hindrances.
Types of lust
Different forms of desire addressed in teachings.
Canonical sequence
Order of decay stages in Buddhist texts.
Distension
First stage of decay: swelling of the body.
Rupture
Second stage: breaking of bodily tissues.
Exudation of blood
Third stage: blood oozing from the body.
Putrefaction
Fourth stage: decomposition and decay of flesh.
Discoloration and desiccation
Fifth stage: color change and drying of remains.
Consumption by animals
Sixth stage: remains eaten by scavengers.
Dismemberment
Seventh stage: body parts separated.
Bones
Eighth stage: skeletal remains visible.
Parched to dust
Ninth stage: complete decomposition into dust.
Kusokanshi
Japanese term for contemplative decay poems.
Kukai
Japanese monk who introduced esoteric Buddhism.
Su Tongpo
Northern Song poet and scholar-bureaucrat.
Nine stages
Stages of decay detailed in the poems.
Shingon school
Buddhist school founded by Kukai.
Waka poetry
Verse form with thirty-one syllables.
Edo period
Japanese historical period from 1603 to 1867.
Handscroll
Illustrated scroll format for displaying art.
Woodblock printing
Technique for printing images on paper.
Preface
Introductory section of the poems.
Five-character verses
Verse format used in Kukai’s poem.
Seven-character verses
Verse format used in Su Tongpo’s poem.
Contemplation practice
Meditative focus on decay for spiritual insight.
Kankyo no tomo
Medieval tale describing monk’s contemplation.
Mount Hiei
Headquarters of the Tendai school.
Rendaino
Region known for its cemeteries.
Discourse on the Great Annotations
Sutra outlining decay contemplation methods.
Genpin
Monk who curbed desires through decay contemplation.
A Collection of Religious Awakenings
Literary work by Kamo no Chomei.
Corporeal decay
Physical decomposition observed in contemplation.
Cemetery exposure
Corpses left visible before widespread interment.
1527 handscroll
Oldest illustrated scroll with Su Tongpo poem.
1380 woodblock inclusion
Su Tongpo poem printed in books.
Sutra translation
Xuanzang’s translation of Abhidharma text.
Genpin
A monk who achieved enlightenment through decay contemplation.
Sensual Desires
Transitory cravings for physical pleasure and beauty.
Contemplation
Deep reflection on decay to overcome desires.
Decaying Corpse
Visual aid for meditation on impermanence.
Monastic Practice
Valued discipline focused on spiritual development.
Mental Image
Visualization of decay without physical corpse.
Nine Stages
Sequential phases of a corpse’s decomposition.
Kusoshi emaki
Illustrated handscroll depicting nine decay stages.
Nakamura Collection
Private collection housing the earliest decay images.
Aristocratic Attire
Clothing style indicating high social status.
Cathartic Value
Emotional release through confronting mortality.
Zhiyi
Chinese monk who commented on the Lotus Sutra.
Lotus Sutra
Key Buddhist text emphasizing meditation practices.
Baoji
Chinese poet who wrote about decay contemplation.
Tang Dynasty
Period in China from 618 to 907 AD.
Illustrated Handscroll
Art form combining narrative and visual elements.
Tatami Mat
Traditional Japanese flooring used in homes.
Voluptuous Figure
Curvy body shape emphasizing sensuality.
Putrefaction
Stage of decay involving decomposition and odor.
Desiccation
Drying out process in corpse decay.
Disjointing
Final stage where bones separate post-decomposition.
Visual Aid
Image used to enhance meditation practices.
Pictorial Images
Paintings accompanying meditative practices in Buddhism.
Illustrated Handscroll
14th-century artwork depicting decay stages.
Nakamura Collection
Collection housing the handscroll in Kanagawa.
Stages of Decay
Nine distinct phases of corpse decomposition.
Newly Deceased
First stage; body just after death.
Distension
Second stage; body swelling due to gases.
Rupture
Third stage; skin integrity breaks down.
Exudation of Blood
Fourth stage; blood leaks from the body.
Putrefaction
Fifth stage; decomposition due to bacteria.
Discoloration and Desiccation
Sixth stage; skin color changes and dries.
Consumption by Birds and Animals
Seventh stage; scavengers eat the corpse.
Skeleton
Eighth stage; only bones remain visible.
Disjointing
Ninth stage; bones separated from each other.
Realism in Illustrations
Highly detailed depictions of decay processes.
Dimensions of Scroll
125/8 by 193/4 inches (32 by 50 cm).
Anatomical Precision
Accurate representation of body structures.
Predeath Portrait
Stage zero; image before the person died.
Discourse on Mahayana Meditation
Text describing stages of decay in Buddhism.
Discourse on the Great Wisdom
Another Buddhist text with decay descriptions.
Zhiyi
Author of Shakuzen haramitsu shidai homon.
Dismemberment Stage
Omitted in Nakamura version; differs from texts.
Whole Skeleton
Stage depicting complete skeletal structure.
Disjointed Bones
Stage showing bones separated in different places.
Meditation Stages
Different contemplations on skeletal forms.
Predeath portrait
Artwork depicting aristocrat before death
Sutra of the Secrets
Oldest zen meditation manual
Sutra of the Essentials
Early zen meditation text
Zen meditation
Practice focusing on objects for inner bliss.
Contemplation on decay
Meditation method focusing on decaying bodies.
Toyuk Caves
Location of murals depicting zen practices in China.
Mural paintings
Artworks illustrating monks meditating on skeletons.
Discourse on Mahayana Meditation
Text detailing stages of meditation on bones.
Skeletal bones stages
Two types: pink (fleshy) and white (pure).
Contemplation levels
Two stages: lower and upper levels of meditation.
Lower level contemplation
Focus on all stages up to parched bones.
Upper level contemplation
Ends before bones turn to dust.
Arhatship
State of liberation in Buddhist practice.
Transcendental meditation
Achieving higher states of consciousness through practice.
Inner bliss
Ultimate goal of zen meditation practice.
Nine stages of decay
Sequence of meditative focus on body decomposition.
Meditation manuals
Texts providing instructions for zen meditation.
Kukai
Buddhist figure associated with poetry on decay.
Sutras
Buddhist scriptures outlining meditation practices.
Contemplation significance
Emphasis on whole skeleton in meditation.
Phenomenal reality
Aspect of existence observed during meditation.
Suffering curtailment
Goal of lower level meditation practice.
Transcendental faculty
Ability to reach higher meditative states.
Nakamura version
A scroll emphasizing upper contemplation stages.
Disjointed bones
Stage representing a fragmented physical state.
Kusoshi emaki
Illustrated handscroll of decaying corpse stages.
Su Tongpo poem
Poem illustrating nine stages of decay.
Ascetic practices
Meditative techniques to overcome sensual desires.
Transcendental state
Achieved through deep meditation and contemplation.
Tosa Mitsunobu
Artist active from 1469 to 1523.
Jakkoin
Subsidiary temple of Enryakuji on Mount Hiei.
Tendai school
Buddhist school emphasizing zen contemplative practice.
Mirror of the Eastern Court
Historical chronicle documenting cultural events.
Ono no Komachi
Ninth-century poet associated with beauty and decay.
Flourish and Decay painting
Depiction of Ono no Komachi’s life stages.
Zen sect
Buddhist sect focusing on meditation practices.
Muso Soseki
Prominent Zen monk from 1275 to 1351.
Five Mountains
Primary Zen temples in Kyoto.
Kukai and Su Tongpo versions
Apocryphal poems on nine decay stages.
Skeletal bones contemplation
Essential practice in Zen meditation texts.
Pure Land Buddhism
Belief system introduced to Japan by Tendai.
Graphic depiction
Visual representation of decay stages.
Historical evidence
Documentation supporting claims about art and practices.
Scroll’s blank space
Indicates an additional stage in contemplation.
Zen monastic community
Group practicing meditation within Zen Buddhism.
Medieval Japan
Period when the nine stages spread beyond sects.
Genshin
Tendai monk who promoted Pure Land Buddhism.
Essentials of Salvation
Genshin’s work on Pure Land faith.
Pure Land faith
Belief in rebirth in Amida Buddha’s realm.
Six Realms of Reincarnation
Six states of existence after death.
Reincarnation
Cycle of rebirth in different realms.
Western Pure Land
Otherworldly realm of Amida Buddha.
Contemplation on horror
Practice to understand suffering in existence.
Shoju Raigoji
Tendai temple housing significant Pure Land art.
Painting of the Nine Stages
Depicts decay stages of a female corpse.
Raigoji version
Specific depiction of the nine stages painting.
Corporeal impurity
Suffering related to physical existence.
Nine stages of decay
Stages illustrating human corpse decomposition.
Distension
First stage of decay after death.
Dismemberment
Stage where body parts are separated.
Bones
Final stage of decay
Tendai school
Buddhist sect associated with Genshin’s teachings.
Painting of the Impure Aspect
Illustrates corporeal impurity in human existence.
Discourse on Mahayana Meditation
Influential text on meditation practices.
Visual agency
Power of images to convey spiritual messages.
Nakamura version
Earlier interpretation of the nine stages theme.
Horrifying aspects
Elements of suffering depicted in Pure Land art.
Fading over time
Deterioration of the painting’s visual details.
Second Stage
Initial rupturing of the corpse begins.
Third Stage
Exuding blood
Fifth Stage
Corpse appears as ‘wax melted by fire’.
Sixth Stage
Desiccated corpse turns bluish black.
Seventh Stage
Consumption by birds
Raigoji Version
Illustrates nine stages of decaying female corpse.
Voyeuristic Sensationalism
Shocking portrayal of decay process in art.
Discourse on Mahayana Meditation
Influential text on decay and meditation.
Impure Aspect
Human body filled with impurity and odor.
Genshin’s Essentials of Salvation
Text summarizing human defilement and decay.
Decomposition Process
Step-by-step contemplation of human decay stages.
Devotional Purpose
Art inspires faith in Amida through decay.
Yamato-e Style
Traditional Japanese painting style with soft contours.
Hilly Terrain
Landscape feature in Raigoji version painting.
Dark Ocher
Main color tone conveying gloomy atmosphere.
Malachite Green
Occasional color used in landscape depiction.
Transmigration Realms
Six realms representing human suffering and evils.
Sketchy Brushstrokes
Cartoonlike quality in fourth and fifth stages.
Bluish Black Skin
Color change due to exposure to elements.
Swollen Body
Occurs after one to seven days post-death.
Attachment to Affections
Strong emotional ties before recognizing decay.
Foulness of Human Existence
Theme in Raigoji version to inspire faith.
Gloomy Atmosphere
Conveys violence
Dark Ocher
Color representing barren ground in Raigoji version.
Solitary Corpse
Symbolizes man’s transitory existence in the painting.
Seasonal Trees
Cherry
Cherry Tree
Symbolizes spring
Pine Tree
Represents summer
Maple Tree
Symbolizes autumn
Stages of Decomposition
Four stages depicted through the corpse’s condition.
Su Tongpo’s Poem
Inspires landscapes in the Raigoji painting.
Desolate Landscape
Barren hills and ocher ground in the painting.
Distension Stage
Second stage where corpse’s appearance changes significantly.
Transitory Existence
Theme of impermanence highlighted in the artwork.
Barren Field
Setting for the corpse
Grave Marker
Placed beside the corpse in the fourth stage.
Autumn Imagery
Related terms in the poem signify decay and change.
Mujo
Japanese term for the transitory nature of life.
Poetic Correspondence
Alignment between poem’s verses and painting’s imagery.
Corpse’s Appearance
Described as fading and discolored in the poem.
Ruptured Corpse
Third stage showing significant decay and deterioration.
Desolation Theme
Recurring motif in both painting and poem.
Seasonal Change
Symbolizes the passage of time in the artwork.
Buddhist Sutras
Lack landscape descriptions
Fifth Stage
Depicted with maple tree
Corpses Intermingling
Mentioned in the poem
Transience
Concept from Buddhism regarding temporary existence.
Impermanence
Philosophical idea of constant change in life.
Su Tongpo poem
Literary work reflecting themes of decay and impermanence.
Raigoji version
Artistic representation of decay in Buddhist context.
Nine stages of a decaying corpse
Visual depiction illustrating human mortality and impurity.
Six realms of reincarnation
Buddhist belief in cycles of rebirth across realms.
Essentials of Salvation
Text promoting Pure Land Buddhist beliefs by Genshin.
Genshin
Tendai monk who emphasized Pure Land Buddhism.
Pure Land
Buddhist paradise representing ultimate bliss and salvation.
Enma Hall
Temple hall dedicated to the lord of the dead.
Senyomon’in
Commissioner of significant Buddhist temple artworks.
Daigoji
Temple housing important Buddhist art and teachings.
Amida Hall
Structure symbolizing yearning for Pure Land paradise.
Etoki
Method of explaining religious beliefs through pictures.
Umbon
Annual ritual for delivering ancestral spirits from suffering.
Rokudoe soryaku engi
Script explaining doctrines of the six realms.
Public edification
Teaching aimed at educating the general public.
Visual agents
Artworks used to convey religious messages effectively.
Murals
Wall paintings depicting the nine stages of decay.
Restoration dates
Records indicating maintenance of artworks over centuries.
Didactic context
Educational setting for teaching through visual means.
Buddha Amida
Central figure in Pure Land Buddhist belief.
Pathos
Emotional appeal in the Su Tongpo poem.
Nine Stages of Decay
A Buddhist meditation on human impermanence.
Pious Contemplation
Spiritual reflection to overcome sensual desires.
Cathartic Function
Emotional cleansing through confronting decay imagery.
Nakamura Version
Depicts beauty contrasting with decay for meditation.
Discourse on Mahayana Meditation
Text discussing meditation’s role in overcoming desires.
Sensual Desire
Attachment to physical beauty causing spiritual distraction.
Transience
Impermanence of life
Raigoji Version
Artistic representation linking beauty and transience.
Flourish and Decay
Theme illustrating life’s fleeting nature and beauty.
Ono no Komachi
Legendary poet symbolizing beauty and tragic love.
Mirror of the Eastern Court
Historical chronicle referencing art and cultural themes.
Five Obstacles to Enlightenment
Barriers hindering spiritual progress in Buddhism.
Three Kinds of Required Obedience
Duties to family affecting women’s spiritual paths.
Didactic Impact
Teaching purpose behind integrating beauty and decay.
Buddhist Doctrine
Philosophical teachings guiding meditation practices.
Anonymity of Corpse
Decaying figure represents universal beauty
Noh Plays
Theatrical performances depicting themes of beauty and decay.
Edo Period Misidentification
Incorrectly associating corpses with specific historical figures.
Polygamous Society
Cultural context influencing women’s tragic narratives.
Elegant Woman’s Delusion
Beauty obscuring the reality of decay and death.
Cultural Competition
Artistic displays reflecting societal values and themes.
Buddhist Devotional Image
Art intended for spiritual reflection and meditation.
Historical Misinterpretation
Errors in identifying figures in Buddhist art.
Raigoji version
A painting depicting a decaying female corpse.
Empress Danrin
Wife of Emperor Saga
Empress Komyo
Another beautiful empress linked to the Raigoji version.
Nine stages
Artistic representation of corpse decay processes.
Pure Land Buddhism
Buddhist sect promising salvation for women.
Larger Sutra
Key text supporting women’s salvation in Buddhism.
Honen
Influential figure in Pure Land Buddhism
Public exposure of corpses
Cultural practice aimed at awakening sentient beings.
Historical misrepresentation
Connecting corpses to legendary figures without evidence.
Eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
Peak period for associating corpses with beauty.
Defilement beliefs
Medieval Japanese views on purity and death.
Contagious defilement
Belief that corpses spread impurity to others.
Cultural identity
Desire to connect women to historical figures.
Public instruction
Raigoji version aimed at educating both genders.
Gender inclusivity
Shift in Buddhist teachings allowing women’s salvation.
Decay process
Transformation of corpses into white bones over time.
Market crowds
Public gatherings to view the empresses’ corpses.
Buddhist Law
Concept of moral and spiritual teachings in Buddhism.
Cultural taboos
Social restrictions regarding death and corpses.
Theological foundation
New beliefs enabling acceptance of corpse imagery.
Literary genre
Writings promoting ideal female life in history.
Nakamura version
Earlier Buddhist art version targeting male audiences.
Public perception
Attitudes towards corpses shaped by religious beliefs.
Pure Land Buddhism
A sect allowing lay devotion to Buddha Amida.
Nenbutsu
Practice of thinking of the Buddha for salvation.
Salvation
Rebirth assurance in the Western Pure Land.
Nine Stages of Decaying Corpse
Illustration depicting stages of human decomposition.
Dainenbutsuji
Head temple of the Yuzu Nenbutsu school.
Ryonin
Founder of the Yuzu Nenbutsu school (1072-1132).
Illustrated Handscroll
Artistic representation of the nine decay stages.
Su Tongpo
Poet associated with the nine stages handscroll.
Waka
Japanese poetry form inscribed alongside Chinese characters.
Graphological Analysis
Study of handwriting to identify authorship.
Johoji Kojo
Renowned calligrapher of the nine stages scroll.
Kano Motonobu
Attributed painter of the Dainenbutsuji version.
Crescent Moon
Symbolic imagery in the Dainenbutsuji painting.
Autumn Grasses
Decorative element in the Dainenbutsuji handscroll.
Calligraphy
Art of beautiful handwriting used in scrolls.
Gilt Decorations
Gold embellishments enhancing the scroll’s visual appeal.
Cultural Context
Influence of society on the depiction of decay.
Religious Context
Spiritual significance of death in Pure Land Buddhism.
Decaying Corpse
Subject matter reflecting Buddhist views on mortality.
Affluent Patron
Wealthy individual likely commissioned the Dainenbutsuji work.
Nineteenth Century
Period when later images of decay were produced.
Aristocratic Monk
High-ranking religious figure
Shinshiso
Stage of being newly deceased.
Hochoso
Stage of distension in decay.
Ketsuzuso
Stage of blood exudation.
Horanso
Stage of putrefaction.
Seioso
Stage of discoloration and desiccation.
Shokutanso
Stage of consumption by animals.
Hakkotsurenso
Stage showing the whole skeleton.
Hakltotsusanso
Stage of disjointing skeleton.
Jokeso
Final stage
Su Tongpo
Poet associated with the decay poem.
Dainenbutsuji
Version of the decay stages with visual elements.
Yamato-e
Japanese painting style with soft landscapes.
Suyari gasumi
Fog technique unifying scenes over time.
Waka
Japanese poem often accompanying visual art.
Relics
Sacred objects contained in stupas.
Stupas
Containers for relics or sacred objects.
Corpse depiction
Lacks anatomical precision in artistic representation.
Seasonal motifs
Landscapes reflecting changing seasons in stages.
Pathos of transience
Theme of impermanence in decay.
Cleveland Museum of Art
Location of Yuzu Nenbutsu handscroll.
14th century
Time period of Yuzu Nenbutsu Engi.
Visual correspondence
Relationship between images and accompanying poems.
Graveyard landscapes
Settings depicting the decay process.
Whittemore Fund
Funding source for art preservation and study.
Nine stages of decay
Illustrations depicting stages of a decaying corpse.
Dainenbutsuji version
Sanitized illustrations contrasting grotesque decay.
Yuzu Nenbutsu school
Buddhist school emphasizing synergistic faith practices.
Synergism
Union of different substances for spiritual perfection.
Ryonin
Founder of the Yuzu Nenbutsu school.
Nenbutsu
Chanting practice aimed at rebirth in Pure Land.
Mass thaumaturgie practice
Collective chanting for enhanced spiritual effect.
Yuzu nenbutsu engi emaki
Illustrated handscrolls narrating Yuzu Nenbutsu legends.
Illustrated Handscrolls
Visual narratives depicting religious teachings and events.
Fourteenth to fifteenth centuries
Period when most Yuzu emaki versions were produced.
Religious duties of yuzu nenbutsu
Offering oblations to itinerant monks preaching beliefs.
Nonsectarian practice
Inclusivity of all Buddhists in yuzu nenbutsu.
Missionary scheme
Outreach strategy using illustrated handscrolls for donations.
Ashikaga military government
Period of reduced financial support for Buddhist temples.
Spiritual practice merit
Individual actions benefit the collective community.
Visual aids
Tools for teaching and legitimizing spiritual beliefs.
Miraculous events
Significant occurrences in Ryonin’s life and teachings.
Oblations
Offerings made to monks for spiritual merit.
Cultural significance
Importance of Yuzu emaki in Japanese art history.
Collective contributions
Donations gathered from broader society for support.
Historical transformation
Changes in imagery and function from 1300 to 1527.
Graphic impact
Strong visual effect of decay illustrations.
Yuzu nenbutsu
Buddhist practice for salvation through nenbutsu.
Nenbutsu
Recitation of Amida Buddha’s name for salvation.
Yuzu emaki
Handscrolls depicting yuzu nenbutsu teachings.
Miracles
Supernatural events attributed to yuzu nenbutsu practice.
Amida
Buddha associated with Western Pure Land salvation.
Bishamonten
Buddhist deity protecting practitioners
Itinerant priests
Traveling monks promoting nenbutsu and soliciting donations.
Meritorious acts
Good deeds performed for spiritual benefits.
Memorial rites
Ceremonies honoring deceased individuals for their salvation.
Karma
The principle of cause and effect in Buddhism.
Salvation
Deliverance from suffering and rebirth in Buddhism.
Phenomenal power
Miraculous capability of nenbutsu to affect lives.
Western Pure Land
Buddhist paradise where souls can attain enlightenment.
Sanjonishi Sanetaka
Monk who documented activities of itinerant priests.
Merit transfer
Transference of spiritual benefits to deceased individuals.
Dainenbutsuji
Headquarters of the Yuzu Nenbutsu school.
Minomori Sukekage
Military governor who commissioned a Yuzu emaki.
Ashikaga Yoshinao
Shogun who copied Yuzu emaki for deceased kin.
Devotees
Followers of yuzu nenbutsu seeking spiritual benefits.
Financial support
Monetary contributions from devotees to temples.
Record keeping
Documentation of devotees’ names for merit purposes.
Spiritual efficacy
Effectiveness of practices in achieving spiritual goals.
Laity
Non-clerical members of the Buddhist community.
Reincarnation
Cycle of rebirth in various realms.
Human Realm
One of six realms in reincarnation.
Stupas
Buddhist structures for memorializing the deceased.
Nenbutsu
Prayers offered for the salvation of the dead.
Karmic Effect
Consequences of actions influencing future rebirths.
Memorial Service
Rituals conducted to honor and save the deceased.
Corporeal Decay
Physical deterioration of the human body over time.
Edo Period
Timeframe in Japan from 1603 to 1868.
Woodblock-Printed Books
Books produced using carved wooden blocks for printing.
Kokusho Somokuroku
General index of surviving Japanese books.
Kusoshi Genkai
Text offering explanations of the nine stages.
Kusoshi Esho
Illustrated version of poems on decaying corpses.
San’unshi
Monk who authored Kusoshi Genkai in 1694.
Su Tongpo
Poet whose verses accompany the nine stages.
Yuzu Nenbutsu
Practice of collective prayer for the deceased.
Akagi Bunko Collection
Collection housing significant Edo woodblock-printed books.
Fig. 15
Illustration of aristocrat mourning at stupas.
Fig. 16a-i
Akagi version of Kusoshi with humorous illustrations.
Bunka 7
Year 1810 in the Japanese calendar.
Genroku 7
Year 1694 in the Japanese calendar.
Memorializing
Act of honoring and remembering the deceased.
Illustrated Handscroll
Long
Impure State of Flesh
Concept emphasizing human body’s decay and suffering.
Kusoshi
Focuses on poetry over images in literature.
Akagi version
Distinct edition of Kusoshi with unique features.
Edo period
Timeframe of Japanese history from 1603 to 1868.
Su Tongpo poem
Central poem referenced in Kusoshi’s structure.
Nine stages
Stages of decomposition depicted in Kusoshi illustrations.
Shinshiso
First stage: newly deceased in decomposition.
Hochoso
Second stage: distension of the body.
Ketsutoso
Third stage: exudation of blood occurs.
Horanso
Fourth stage: putrefaction begins.
Tanshokuso
Fifth stage: consumption by animals and birds.
Seioso
Sixth stage: discoloration and desiccation of remains.
Hakkotsu renso
Seventh stage: whole skeleton remains visible.
Kotsusanso
Eighth stage: disjointing of skeletal structure.
Kofunso
Ninth stage: formation of tumulus.
Dainenbutsuji version
Alternative version with different stage order.
Kana booklets
Literary genre featuring popular novels in kana.
Kana syllabary
Phonetic writing system used in Japanese.
Woodblock printing
Technique allowing mass production of texts.
Didactic literature
Educational texts aimed at teaching readers.
Otogi zoshi
Precursor to kana booklets
Illustrations
Visuals that complement and enhance textual understanding.
Literacy increase
Rise in reading ability during Edo period.
Cursive characters
Stylized writing used in waka verses.
Glossed characters
Chinese characters explained with kana for clarity.
Akagi version
Illustration series depicting decay stages in Edo period.
Su Tongpo
Chinese poet referenced in Akagi illustrations.
Waka poems
Japanese poetry influencing Akagi illustrations.
Chotan
Morning sun depicted in sixth stage illustration.
Corpse
Main subject of decay in Akagi illustrations.
Cattail (obana)
Plant included in eighth stage illustration.
Decomposed head
Element from Su Tongpo in eighth stage.
Wooden coffin
Second stage shows coffin exploded by corpse.
Grotesque
Absence of grotesque elements in Akagi version.
Humorous response
Intent behind the depiction of bloated corpse.
Scarecrow
Replaced corpse in fifth stage for humor.
Kana-booklet genre
Targeted moral education for women in Edo period.
Feminine morality
Focus of instructional texts for women.
Confucian teachings
Influence on women’s education in the seventeenth century.
Turn Nuns
Didactic work by Suzuki Shosan
Seven Nuns
Another didactic work
Tale in Ogura
Story highlighting transitory nature of existence.
Transience
Key Buddhist concept in female enlightenment stories.
Two Nuns
Story using decay stages for female character’s enlightenment.
Decaying corpse
Central theme in Akagi’s nine stages.
Instructional texts
Guides for proper conduct and etiquette for women.
Buddhist teachings
Foundation for moral education in Edo period.
Life-changing experience
Protagonist’s transformation in Two Nuns story.
Tincorpse
A corpse thrown into a field without burial.
Mendicant
A person who renounces worldly possessions for spirituality.
Enlightenment
A state of spiritual awakening and understanding.
Two Nuns
A narrative emphasizing women’s enlightenment in Buddhism.
Nine Stages
Crucial experiences leading to enlightenment for women.
Edo Period
Era in Japan marked by strict social hierarchies.
Moral Instructions
Guidelines promoting ideal behavior for women.
Five Obstacles
Barriers women face in attaining salvation.
Three Obediences
Expectations for women to submit to male authority.
Ojoden
Stories of rebirth in the Pure Land.
Shibyaku Ojoden
Seventeenth-century story emphasizing women’s moral attributes.
Kinsei Ojoden
Modern stories highlighting women’s need for virtue.
Suzuki Shosan
Zen monk teaching moral precepts to women.
Nenbutsu
Buddhist practice of chanting the name of Amida.
Human Transience
Buddhist concept of the impermanence of life.
Kusozu
Painting depicting the nine stages of decay.
Visual Sensationalism
Artistic focus on shocking imagery of decay.
Cultural Consciousness
Shared beliefs and values within a society.
Religious Dialogues
Conversations aimed at spiritual understanding and growth.
Filial Piety
Respect and duty towards one’s parents.
Patriarchy
A social system where men hold primary power.
Buddhist Sutras
Sacred texts containing teachings of Buddhism.
Decaying Corpse
Visual representation of physical decay in art.
Social Harmony
Goal of maintaining peace and order in society.
Transformative Functionality
The ability of art to convey changing meanings.
Woodcut Printing
Technique for producing images using carved wood.
