The purpose of this study is to analyze the difference between the two books Shikanden 四巻伝 (Honchō soshi denki ekotoba 本朝祖師伝記絵詞,1237) and the Rinnahon 琳阿本 (Hōnen shōninden ekotoba 法然上人伝絵詞,between 1241–1262). This study focuses on the Shikanden’s I.11 (the Emergence of Seiryū 青龍出現) through to II.13 (Facing Shinnō Shōnin 親王上人對座) and the Rinnahon’s II.7 (Genzui 現瑞 of Kegon Hiran Hokke Shugyō 華厳披覧法華修行,one priest Kanmu 感夢) through to V.4 (the Emergence of Sanzon 三尊出現). The arrangement of contents are almost identical in these sections of the two books, except that the Shikanden from I.18 (the Emergence of Sanmai 三昧現前) to I.21 (the Emergence of Sanzon) is divided into two in the Rinnahon’s third scroll with III.4 (the Emergence of Zendō 善導来現), and V.3 (the Emergence of Gokan 五観現前) and V.4 (the Emergence of Sanzon).
The author of the Rinnahon seems to have considered that there was a chronological displacement in the Shikanden from the Emergence of Sanmai to the Emergence of Sanzon. As a result, this portion was shifted to immediately after Daihannya Tendoku 大般若転読,Rinju Mondō 臨終問答 in the Rinnahon. At that time, only the figure of the Emergence of Zendō was placed behind III.4 Etsuzō 閲蔵 in the Rinnahon. It seems that the author of the Rinnahon considered that the Emergence of Zendō had occurred twice.
