Taishokuwan Copy dating from the 17th century 3 volumes, 33.5 x 24.0 cm. NDL call number: honbetsu 13-39

These pictures are the front cover and an illustration taken from a picture book of tales loosely based on the life of Fujiwara no Kamatari (614-669), a real person who was a famous court official.

The story goes like this: Kamatari's daughter was married to the Emperor of China, and when she heard that her father was going to build the Main Hall of the Kofukuji temple in Nara, she sent Mugehouju, a precious crystal with divine powers, as a gift. But while a military escort was sailing to Japan with the crystal, dragons attacked them and the treasure was carried down to the palace of the dragon king at the bottom of the sea. To get the gem back, Kamatari devised a clever plan: he lured the dragon king up to the surface with dazzling music and dance, at the same time sending his wife, who was an ama (woman diver), to sneak into the dragon's palace and get the crystal.

Illustrated is the moment at which the dragon king breaks out onto the surface, attracted by the music. The elegant boat, and the fierce dragon, are depicted with delicate brushwork in gorgeous colors.

Books of this kind, with hand-drawn, full-color illustrations, are called "Nara-ehon," and were produced in the 17th century.

The front cover shows a huge tree full of cherry blossom, lavishly painted in gold against a deep blue background.

*All images of this book can be seen from here (texts: Japanese only).