若冲の弟子、意冲の「菊慈童図」が初公開　【宝蔵寺 寺宝展Ⅱ】　　　　　　Jakuchu's disciple, Ichu's "Kikujidozu" is unveiled for the first time [Houzo-ji Temple Treasure Exhibition II]

宝蔵寺は伊藤家並びに絵師若冲の菩提寺として知られ、若冲が建てた両親の墓がある。その縁から若冲と弟子の作品を収集している。
前回紹介した若冲の「竹に雄鶏図」と「髑髏図」に続いて、若冲の弟子と思われる意冲が描いた「菊慈童図」が初公開された。菊慈童は中国古代を舞台にした物語で、能楽や絵画にもよく登場する題材の一つである。不老不死となった少年の姿が描かれている。絵は絹地に彩色されていて、縦99・6センチ×横32・2センチ。

Houzo-ji Temple is known as the Ito family and the family temple of Jakuchu, a painter, and has the tombs of his parents built by Jakuchu. From that edge, Houzo-ji collects the works of Jakuchu and his disciples.
Following Jakuchu's "Bamboo and Rooster Figure" and "Skull Figure" introduced last time, "Kikujidozu" drawn by Jakuchu's disciple,Ichu, was unveiled for the first time. Kikujido is a story set in ancient China and is one of the subjects that often appear in Nogaku and paintings. The figure of a boy who became immortal is depicted. The painting is colored on silk and measures 99.6 cm long x 32.2 cm wide.

鑑定によると、意冲の落款があり、上部の松の木の墨の筆づかいが若冲と似ていることから、意冲の絵と判断された。意冲の作品は数少ないが、繊細な筆致で完成度が高い作品と評されている。
同寺のご住職の小島英裕さんが一昨年の春、古美術商の目録に掲載されているのを知り、この「菊慈童図」をすぐに買い求めたという。

According to the appraisal, there was a sign of Ichu, and the brush stroke of the ink on the pine tree at the top was similar to that of Jakuchu, so it was judged to be a picture of Ichu. Although there are only a few works of creativity, it is said to be a work with a high degree of perfection due to its delicate brush strokes.
It is said that Eiyu Kojima, the chief priest of the temple, learned that it was listed in the list of antique dealers in the spring of the year before last, and immediately bought this "Kikujidozu".

伊藤若冲など著名な絵師の作品を博物館や美術館で鑑賞するのもいいが、お寺の薄暗い中、目の前で心ゆくまで堪能できるのは愉楽の極みである。
It is good to appreciate the works of famous painters such as Ito Jakuchu in museums and art galleries, but it is the ultimate pleasure to be able to enjoy them to your heart's content in the dim light of the temple.

次回は、その他の弟子たちの作品
Next time, the works of other disciples

リポート&写真/ 渡邉雄二・寺宝展チラシコピー　Reported & Photos by Yuji Watanabe