On the Phoenix (HOUOU)


The phoenix (houou) is a bird whose existence has been reported by Japanese mythology since ancient times. It is said that when ever a saintly or holy person is about to appear on this earth, a phoenix emerges from the heavens to announce its eminent arrival. We at KIKKOU have selected the phoenix to serve as one of our motifs; this bird of immortality is the exact counterpart of our other symbol, the No mask, which hides Death's face. The seal of the phoenix found on the upper portion of each page is a representation taken by scanner of a wooden transom (a decorative beam placed below the ceiling straddling two rooms) that decorates the interior of an ancient Japanese home.





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