Gemini Thinking
The primary figure in the central panel of the illustration is Nichiren Daishonin, a Buddhist monk who is shown reading a hand-scroll containing the text '妙法' (Myōhō), which translates to "Wonderful Law," or the essential essence of the Lotus Sutra. The gathering of monks and figures to the right represents compassionate beings and Bodhisattvas, including figures resembling Kannon (Avalokiteshvara), symbolizing "good friends" and a gentle influence. The overall style is a traditional Japanese emaki (scroll painting) on aged washi paper, avoiding excluded iconography. My reasoning was to create a square composition that visualizes the metaphors in the text: the dense mugwort plants (蓬) among the tall hemp plants (麻) on the left, demonstrating growing straight; and the snake (蛇) straightening itself inside the bamboo tube (竹) in the foreground. A generalized, radiant star-like mandala at the top center symbolizes the "Buddha's own mind," without depicting specific restricted Buddhas. In the bottom-right corner, the required Kanji signature is 双子座 (Futagoza), meaning "The Twins" or "Gemini" constellation/zodiac sign, accompanied by a small red hanko containing the Katakana text ジェミニ (Jemini).
The Lotus Sutra is called “Zui-jii,” namely it expounds the true mind of the Buddha. Since the Buddha’s mind is so great, even if one does not understand the profound meaning of the sutra, one can gain innumerable merits by just reading it. Just as mugwort among hemp plants grows straight and a snake in a tube straightens itself, if one becomes friendly with good people, one’s mind, behavior and words become naturally gentle. LIkewise, the Buddha thinks that those who believe in the Lotus Sutra become naturally virtuous.
Nichiren wrote this passage in his treatise The Sutra Preached in Accordance to [the Buddha’s] Own Mind (Zui-jii Gosho). In this passage, he makes clear what the Buddha meant by abandoning expedient teachings, and that the Lotus Sutra contains the Buddha’s highest teaching.
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