Takaya Miou
Brilliance, p. 3
Japan, 2000

Drawing (genga), ink and screen-tone on Kent paper
Collection of the artist (L.2016-16.30–31)
© Takaya Miou, 2000

The following is an English translation of the Japanese text that appears in the published form of these pages.

Tian Fuandi, alongside his consort Hai, presided as Emperor over the Realm of the Dead, where he welcomed blemished souls from the Realm of the Living. The Realm of the Dead was essentially a hospital for spirits in need of cleansing.
In every being, there was something lacking. Only the Emperor himself had achieved a state of perfection.
To fill what it was that she lacked, a soul was sent to the Realm of the Living.