Chou Ryou, Kou Sekikou　張良・黄石公

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Ch: Zhang Liang, Huang Shigong. Heroic Chinese warriors of the Han dynasty. Zhang Liang (168-137 BC), originally from Korea and using the soubriquet Zifang (Jp: Shibou 子房), was an enemy of the Qin emperor and helped Liu Bang (Jp: Ryuuhou 劉邦) found the Han dynasty. Zhang is well known for the incident in which he picks up the shoe dropped by the recluse-sage Huang Shigong, who lost it as he crossed a bridge on horseback. As a reward for returning the shoe, Huang presented Zhang with a book on military strategy that would guarantee his success in military campaigns. According to legend, the book ended up in Japan, where *Yoshitsune 義経 used it. Zhang eventually retired from public life and studied Daoist magic with the immortal Shi Songzi (Jp: Seki Shoushi 石松子). The theme of Zhang Liang offering the shoe to Huang Shigong was frequently depicted in Japan, appearing first on fans (Honnouji 本能寺, Nanzenji 南禅寺), and then as sculpture at the gate, Karamon 唐門, at Nishihonganji 西本願寺 in Kyoto. The theme was disseminated in the *nou 能 drama Chouryou and then through nou chant youkyoku 謡曲 and ballad drama joururi 浄瑠璃, eventually becoming the subject of many parody pictures *mitate-e 見立て絵 by *ukiyo-e 浮世絵 artists. Zhang also appears in the story of the Four Graybeards of Mt. Shang *shouzan shikou 商山四皓 as the imperial messenger who leads them back to court.

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