The names and number of the women vary from one gospel to the next, but most
artists have chosen to follow Mark, who says there were three. (Mark 16:1-7) "And when the sabbath was past,
Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, brought sweet spices,
that coming, they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, the
first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen."
Japan’s foremost Christian artist, Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) converted
from Buddhism to Christianity at 17 years old. He soon combined his new faith
with an interest in preserving the traditional Japanese folk art of stencil
dying, or katazome, by creating colorful representation of biblical scenes that
he hoped would speak to his people. He said, ‘My task is to stand within the
artistic tradition of Japan…Theology
will not take deep root in Japanese soil if it is merely an import.”
He clothed
all the biblical characters in the Japanese dress of kimonos. And the symbolism
used in his art are those his people would understand.
I have
often used his art in my Blogs, as I love his style, which so often tells a
story in a few strokes.
In the
Orthodox
Christian tradition the these women are called the Myrrhbearers, a title lost to the
Western Church, but one that is very
appropriate.
.
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