The Penance of Mongaku

This ukiyo-e triptych, published by Sumiyoshi Masagoro, depicts the Buddhist monk Mongaku (1139-1203) in penance beneath the Nachi waterfall. His story is told in the play The Priest Mongaku at the Waterfall of Nachi (Nachi-no-Take Chikai no Mongaku). Endo Morito was a samurai who became embroiled in an affair which ended tragically. As a result, Morito became a monk, changed his name to Mongaku and began three years of harsh penance. He almost died while praying beneath the Nachi waterfall in the freezing winter. This scene shows his rescue by Fudo Myo, a deity of light and fire, and Kannon, a goddess of compassion.