NAKAMURA　Husetu

The Three Laughs at the Tiger Creek is a common subject in Japanese painting, and has been portrayed by many artists.
The Three Laughs at the Tiger Creek is a story handed down in the "Records of Lushan." While practicing asceticism at Donglin Temple in Lushan, Monk Huiyuan resolved not to cross the Tiger Creek, which connected him to the secular world. However, while seeing off Tao Yuanming (Confucianist) and Lu Xiujing (Taoist), who had come to visit him, he became engrossed in conversation and ended up passing the Tiger Creek, which he had agreed not to cross, by about 100 steps, causing the three to burst into laughter. Furthermore, Tao Yuanming represents Confucianism, Monk Huiyuan represents Buddhism, and Lu Xiujing represents Taoism, representing the unity of the three religions.In this work, the figure wearing a robe and raising one hand is Master Huiyuan, standing behind Master Huiyuan is Tao Yuanming, and the figure looking back and holding a staff is Lu Xiujing.