The names and number of the women vary from one gospel to the next, but most artists have chosen to follow Mark, who says there were three. (Mark 16:1-7) "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, brought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen."
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Japan’s foremost Christian artist, Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) converted from Buddhism to Christianity at 17 years old. He soon combined his new faith with an interest in preserving the traditional Japanese folk art of stencil dying, or katazome, by creating colorful representation of biblical scenes that he hoped would speak to his people. He said, ‘My task is to stand within the artistic tradition of Japan…Theology will not take deep root in Japanese soil if it is merely an import.”
He clothed all the biblical characters in the Japanese dress of kimonos. And the symbolism used in his art are those his people would understand.
I have often used his art in my Blogs, as I love his style, which so often tells a story in a few strokes.
In the Orthodox Christian tradition the these women are called the Myrrhbearers, a title lost to the WesternChurch, but one that is very appropriate.
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