This manuscript is a Jātaka or a story of one of the Buddha’s past lives given to his disciples. (Fascicle 1) Once upon a time, the Buddha had been born as a Bodhisatta who was a prince of Videha city named “Sīvijaya.” He owned a cockatoo that could speak human language. He sent the cockatoo as a spy to find a wife candidate. The cockatoo arrived at the castle of a princess of Sīvilāsa city named “Sīvaya.” Having realized her intelligence and beauty, the bird went back and reported the prince. The prince sent ambassadors to make a marriage proposal to the king of Sīvilāsa but the proposal was rejected. God Indra thus brought Prince Sīvijaya to her castle. They met and got to know each other. They exchanged discussions with each other on several topics, such as a story of two wealthy men who promised to let their children get married. Finally, the prince and the princess are a couple living in the castle.
Other notes:
The wooden bookbinder reads “This is a Jātaka entitled Siwichaiyonhong, ten fascicles in total.”
(Front cover) “Front cover of Siwichai, first fascicle”.
(Left side of the first folio) “Siwichaiyonhong, first fascicle”.