Dojoji Maiden, 2000, moku-hanga, about 5″ high. Traditional Japanese Wood Block Prints pulled by hand from seventeen small cherry wood blocks. About 160 prints were pulled in all.
Dojo-ji Maiden:
A long time ago, a handsome young monk took shelter for the night in the home of a lonely widow. He awoke with a start when she crept into his bed. Entwining him within her arms and legs, she overcame his protests and he promised to remain with her and to be her husband. In the morning, she was so furious to discover that the young monk was already on his way that she died. A huge snake slithered from her room and pursued the monk to Dojo-ji where the priests concealed him under the temple bell. Coiling herself around the bell, her hot breath and burning embrace made the bell blaze white and she disappeared within the smoke. All that remained was a twisted heap of bronze and a small pile of ashes.
"Dojo-ji Maiden", 2000, 6 x 4 inches, woodcut with type (this is the version used for the "2001 Year of the Snake" postcard exchange)
four variations of Dojo-ji Maiden