Ch: Lofuxian. The story and pictorial theme of
an immortal on Mt. Lofu (Jp: Rafusen) and the spirit of the plum tree.
The legend goes that one day, the Sui dynasty Zhao Shixiong (Jp: Chou
Shiyuu ζβtY) climbed Mt. Lofu. Entering a wineshop to warm himself, he encountered
a beautiful woman wearing a white gown and white face powder. Her fragrance and
voice were equally sweet, upon exchanging wine cups with her, he fell into an
intoxicated sleep. Awakened by the cold dawn wind, Zhao found himself under a
blossoming plum tree and realized that the beautiful woman of the previous night
was the spirit of the plum tree. Depictions typically show a beautiful Chinese
court lady standing in front of a flowering plum, as in Iwasa Matabee's β²Ίq
(1578-1650) well-known painting. |