A few more thankgas for you-know-who (no, not Voldemort). Click to enlarge.
1. A Dragon Guards the Entrance to Potala Thangka Shop
Late one night, long past the shop's closing time, Mittsu and I were painting together, working on techniques of blending and brush strokes. A small, fuzzy dog wandered into the threshold of the shop and, enjoying the heat and light of the small room, curled into a ball and fell asleep. For some time, the three of us existed in relaxed harmony, enjoying each other's company, until (quite suddenly) we were interuppted.
"Can I watch?" a slurred voice came from the street. Outside, a group of four middle-aged Indian men stood in the dark street. "Will you buy something from my friend?" I asked, already well aware of the answer.
The drunken man starts to get pushy, but Marshmallow Puff (for this is what she looks like as she sleeps) is still curled up in the doorway. Mittsu and I look at each other, eyebrows raised (which, it turns out, is cross-cultural) and backs to the door.
A low growl fills the room and the street. The little Marshamallow Puff, without lifting her head more than an inch or two, has decided to protect us. The men back away, and then scurry off in a clumsy almost-run, while the two of us laugh at the tiny white Puff which has become our new protector.
So should you be one of the lucky ones who receive one of Mittsu's thangkas, be aware that they came from a small shop guarded by a ferocious dragon: very special treasure.
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