Kikujidou　菊慈童

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Ch: Jucitong. Lit. chrysanthemum love child. The childhood name of the Zhou dynasty Taoist immortal Peng Tan (Jp: Hou Tan 彭袒) who is always associated with chrysanthemums. Legend has it that Kikujidou was a favorite attendant of Emperor Mu (Jp: Boku 穆), until one day he accidentally stepped over the imperial pillow. As a result of the machinations of a rival he was banished to the mountains. At the time of parting Emperor Mu taught Kikujidou a line from chapter 25 of The Lotus Sutra HOKEKYOU FUMONBON 法華経普門品 in order to ensure his safety. Kikujidou exiled to a valley of blooming chrysanthemums, spent his days writing this Buddhist saying on chrysanthemum leaves. By mixing the spring water of the valley stream with the dew of the miraculous leaves Kikujidou produced an elixir which he drank to become immortal.

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