Master Sanzang’s Prayer Journey (2001) 三蔵法師 祈りの旅
Starring: Ikuo Hirayama
Genre: Documentary
Official Website: http://www.nhk-ep.com/shop/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/14140AA/backURL/http%28++www.nhk-ep.com+shop+main/ detail.html
Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
Language: Japanese
Date: 2001
Duration: 98 minutes
As known as: 三藏法师祈祷之旅
Adaptation: Meta
Summary:
By combining Ikuo Hirayama’s mural painting process at Yakushi-ji Temple with the journey of Xuanzang, we explore what kind of message should be conveyed in the 21st century and beyond.
In the war-torn 7th century, there was a young man who risked his life on a journey in search of salvation. Genjo Sanzo, 28 years old, is the main character of “Journey to the West”. Wanting to save the souls of desolate people, he traveled to India for Buddhist scriptures and traveled for 18 years across the hot Silk Road and snowy mountains. The Heart Sutra brought back by Xuanzang spread throughout the world and continues to support the spirit of the Japanese people.
At the age of 28, Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama, was on the verge of life and death after being exposed to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, he drew a picture of Xuanzang’s journey. Since then, he has stood on the path Xuanzang has walked, drawing thousands of sketches and reliving his travels. The culmination of this is the mural painting of Genjo Sanzo-in Temple in Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara, which aims to complete the moment when the 20th-century changes to the 21st century.
The mural consists of 7 works, and is 2 meters high and 49 meters wide. NHK exclusively covered the production process in Hirayama’s atelier, saying, “It’s the work of drawing a Buddha,” and filmed Xuanzang’s path today. By superimposing the production process of the mural paintings and the scene, we explore what message should be conveyed in the 21st century and beyond.
[Contents]
Part 1 - The young monk kept walking Departing from Chang'an, China, we look at the thoughts of Xuanzang Sanzo, a young man who sought salvation across the snowy mountains.
Prologue - Rise of Chang'an at Dawn / Encounter with Xuanzang / Going to Jiayuguan Fudong / Gaochang Old City Coexistence and Co-prosperity / West Pure Land Sumeru Mountain / Encounter with Different Religions
Part 2 - A road of hope leading to the future. Following Xuanzang’s path through modern-day conflict areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, we will look at how we ourselves should make use of the hopes and salvation sought by young people 1,400 years ago. Then, at the turn of the century, the mural was completed. Through his travels and struggles in his atelier, painter Hirayama confronts the messages for the future contained in his seven works.
Prologue - Bamiyan Destruction and Rebirth / Deccan Plateau Earth’s Prayer / Nalanda Moon Hope / Xuanzang on Mural
