\n<\/a>Grab you favorite beverage, sit back, and join me on a riotous visual romp featuring over 150 photos (from the 17th century onward) of the magical shape-shifting Tanuki. This 34-page article explores the metamorphosis of the spook-beast Tanuki\u00a0from bad guy to good guy, from feared to beloved. It also debunks widespread misinformation about Tanuki, his sake flask, promissory note, and giant scrotum. It is intended as a “primer” for students & teachers of art history and folklore. The only thing missing is popcorn.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/onmarkproductions.com\/Buddha-Statues\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/tanuki-october-2011-newsletter-schumacher-2.jpg\" "\\"Tanuki")
<\/a>Metamorpohosis of the Shape-Shifting Tanuki, From Bad Guy to Good Guy, Feared to Beloved<\/p><\/div>\n
Current Exhibitions & In The News<\/h2>\n
\u00bb\u00a0Aizen My\u014d-\u014d Exhibition, October 15 through December 4, 2011 Some of the main Aizen pieces on display, most from the 13th century.<\/p><\/div>\n \u00bb Kasuga Landscapes & Images of a Sacred Sanctuary, Oct 8 – Nov. 6, 2011 \u00bb Sculptures of the Imperial Household, Until Nov. 20, 2011 \u00bb \u00a0True living temples: Explore beyond Kyoto’s museum-like big attractions
\n<\/strong>Aizen Exhibition, Kanagawa Bunko.<\/a>\u00a0At the Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa Bunko Museum \u795e\u5948\u5ddd\u770c\u7acb\u91d1\u6ca2\u6587\u5eab in Yokohama. If you live in Japan, don’t miss this exhibition, which features Aizen My\u014d-\u014d \u611b\u67d3\u660e\u738b. \u00a0Aizen is the King of Sexual Passion, one who converts earthly desires (love\/lust) into spiritual awakening and saves people from the pain that comes with love. Today, Aizen is also revered in Japan’s gay quarters as the patron of love. Aizen is closely connected with the magical wish-granting jewel (Jp. = H\u014djyu \u5b9d\u73e0; Sanskrit = cintamani), as are other Buddhist deities. Depending on the deity involved, the jewel can signify the bestowal of blessings on all who suffer, grant wishes, pacify desires, and bring clear understanding of the Dharma (Buddhist law). In Aizen’s case, worshippers often used the jewel to pray for success in their romantic relationships. One important ceremony was called the Jewel of Aizen My\u014d-\u014d Rite \u5982\u6cd5\u611b\u67d3\u738b\u6cd5 (pronounced Nyoh\u014d Aizen \u014d h\u014d). The rite was used in the 13th and 14th centuries by esoteric sects to pray for the love and respect of others. This Aizen rite is a variant of the main esoteric ceremony known as the Wish-Granting Jewel Rite \u5982\u610f\u5b9d\u73e0\u6cd5 (pronounced Nyoi H\u014dju H\u014d). This rite began sometime in the late Heian period, spearheaded by the Daigo-ji Temple (Shingon sect) in Kyoto.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/onmarkproductions.com\/Buddha-Statues\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/october-2011-aizen-montage1.jpg\" "\\"Aizen")
<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Nezu Museum in Tokyo is holding an incredible exhibition of artwork from Kasuga Shrine (Nara) with approximately 35 paintings, mandalas, and decorative art works.\u00a0See Nezu Museum’s English page for details.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum (Kyoto)<\/a>.\u00a0Showcases around 60 pieces, including ivory and wooden sculptures, framed carvings and netsuke by\u00a0Koun Takamura (1852-1934) and Komei Ishikawa (1852-1913), \u00a0two master sculptors appointed as\u00a0artists to the Imperial Household when the system started in 1890.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Special to The Daily Yomiuri Read the story here.<\/a><\/p>\n