It is an illustration about description of “若復有人臨当被害稱觀世音菩薩名者彼所執刀杖尋段段壞而得解脱(nyakubujin-rintouhigai-syoukanzeonmyoujya-hisyosyutoujyoudandanne-nitokugedatu)”
It becomes the first half of the portion divided into two on account of a layout. The title of an illustration is “misfortune of Saint Nichiren Tatsunokuchi.”
The method for escaping one in seven misfortune and “the misfortune by distrust” is written. It is also written that 陸暉 (Rittki) of Kure escaped the punishment of decapitation in the first half.
The following is the free translation of an illustration portion.
“Saint Nichiren of our country is Ho who spread the Lotus Sutra widely.
At a certain time, since the Hojo scheduled time was slandered, it will be judged that it is a heretical religion.
Scheduled time was taken in order to execute punishment to Saint Nichiren with 辰口 (Tatunokuti:execution ground which existed in present Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa), and it was sat on the matting of the skin.
He recites the Lotus Sutra absorbedly.
If the Execution person turns back and brandishes a sword, reciting 普門品 (Fumonbon) is continued still more absorbedly.
The Execution person tries to cut off Nichiren’s head with a shout.
At the very time, the sword has broken into three as if it hit the stone.
Although a sword is exchanged and it cuts again, wondering, it has broken into three again.
It thought that an observer was strange and it was said that French punishment would go down it if it is cut, since this is the proof which the bodhisattva is protecting. ”
Subsequent talks follow the next (Kannonkyouwakunzue/First volume/9).
With an illustration, it seems that the sword has broken with the light inserted from heavens.
The expression and behavior of the Execution person Saints are drawn by motion just like one scene of kabuki.
「若復有人臨当被害稱觀世音菩薩名者彼所執刀杖尋段段壞而得解脱」の解説に関する挿絵です。レイアウトの都合上、二つに分けている部分の前半となります。挿絵のタイトルは「日蓮上人 辰の口御難」です。
七難(火難/水難/風難/刀杖難/鬼難/枷鎖難/怨賊難)の中の１つ、刀杖難を逃れるための方法が書かれています。前半には呉の陸暉（リっき）が首切りの刑罰を免れたことも書かれています。以下が挿絵部分の意訳です。
「我が国の日蓮聖人は法華経を広く広めた方である。ある時、北条定時を中傷したために邪教であると判断されてしまう。定時は辰口（現在の神奈川県藤沢市に存在した刑場）で日蓮上人に刑を執行するために連れて行き、皮の敷物の上に座らせた。彼は一心に法華経を唱える。刑吏が背後に回って太刀を振り上げると、更に一心不乱に普門品（ふもんぼん）を唱え続ける。刑吏がかけ声と共に日蓮の首を切り落とそうとする。まさにその時、まるで石に当たったかのように太刀が３つに折れてしまった。不思議に思いつつ、太刀を取り替えて再び斬るが、またも３つに折れてしまった。立会人が妙だと思い、これは菩薩が守っている証だから斬ると仏罰がくだると言った。」
以降のお話は次(観音経和訓図会/上巻/9)に続きます。
挿絵では天から差し込む光で刀が折れているように見えます。処刑人の表情や仕草はまるで歌舞伎の一場面のような動きで描かれています。
