Artist's commentary
Asuka Alien?
From the "Fourth year of the reign of Empress Suiko (596 A.D.)" section of Fusou-Ryakuki [a history written by the monk Kouen in the Heian period]
In November that winter, the construction of Houkou-ji Temple was completed. The empress held a religious ceremony for the occasion called mushae (literally, "Unlimited Alms Assembly"). [This is the current Gangou-ji Temple]
At that time there were purple clouds in the shape of flower petals(tepals), which came down from the heavens and surrounded the pagoda in a ring.
They then covered the temple, became multi-colored, taking a shape like a dragon or phoenix, then a shape like a man or a beast, and after some time passed, they headed to the west and departed, while everyone clasped their hands in prayer and watched them go.
(Prince Shotoku) [Note: the subject is omitted from this part of the text.] spoke and declared to the people around him,
"Heaven has given a response to this temple, and it is a good omen. However, three hundred years from now, frost and dew [Note: that expression is used as a metaphor for the transience of human life.] will wet the clothes of those who visit, and five hundred years from now, the pagoda and temple buildings will be abandoned in ruins."
Prince's attendants: "...I've never seen such a majestic tower and temple... and the buildings will be ABANDONED IN RUINS!?"
Prince: "‘The things of this world are all transient illusions’, it is an inevitable fate. Even Buddhist temples are no exception.
Attendants: "Oh that's terrible!"
Prince: (That's not the point... Her sleeveless clothing, showing armpits... How outrageous! It will certainly become popular...!)
- The game I ordered, Ten Desires, arrived today.
- And I made my imagination into a piece of art.
- I made Nue wear sleeveless for no particular reason. And it leads to Miko wearing old sleeved clothes.
- Probably I can use the same method on a "merman" (?) in the 27th year of the reign of Empress Suiko (619 A.D.) section of Nihon Shoki. [Note: See post #1000168]
- It's irrelevant to this image, but Youmu is cute!