第16部分(第3/7 頁)

g　that

this　volume　he　was　reading　recounted　not　a　story　or　a　legend；　but　what　was

most unbefitting a book： reality itself。 When the elderly man sensed this； he

was overe with terror。 His illustrator son had entered through the

window； as in the painting； and without even looking twice at his father’s

bulging eyes； swiftly drove his dagger—as large as the one in the painting—

into　his　father’s　chest。

72

DJIM

In his History； Rashiduddin of Kazvin merrily writes that 250 years ago in

Kazvin； manuscript illumination； calligraphy and illustration were the most

esteemed　and　beloved　arts。　The　reigning　Shah　in　Kazvin　at　that　time　ruled　over

forty　countries　from　Byzantium　to　China—perhaps　the　love　of　book　arts　was

the　secret　of　this　great　power—but　alas；　he　had　no　male　heir。　To　prevent　the

lands　he’d　conquered　from　being　divided　up　after　his　death；　the　Shah　decided

to find a bright miniaturist husband for his beautiful daughter； and toward

this　end；　arranged　a　petition　among　the　three　great　young　masters　of　his

atelier； all of whom were bachelors。 According to Rashiduddin’s History； the

object of the petition was very simple： Whoever made the most

remarkable　painting　would　be　the　victor！　Like　Rashiduddin　himself；　the　young

miniaturists　knew　that　this　meant　painting　in　the　manner　of　the　old　masters；

and　thus；　each　of　the　three　made　a　rendition　of　the　most　widely　liked　scene：　In

a garden reminiscent of Heaven itself； a young and beautiful maiden stood

amid cypress and cedar trees； among timid rabbits