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Bodhisattva (Jokaisho Bosatsu): esoteric Buddhist iconographic drawing

Takuma Tametō

Artwork Details

Bodhisattva (Jokaisho Bosatsu): esoteric Buddhist iconographic drawing
mid 12th century
Takuma Tametō
handscroll fragment, ink and color on paper
9 13/16 in x 5 7/16 in (24.9 cm x 13.8 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund
1963/1.99

Description

Subject Matter:

A fragment of a handscroll depicting a bodhisattva from the Vajrayana Buddhist pantheon. This painting was originally part of the iconographic manual handscroll Kontai butsuga-chō, which was cut into pieces and dispersed into various collections. Like other illustrations from this work, four inscriptions are included in the painting. The upper left inscription identifies the bodhisattva as Jokaishō, while the upper right inscription lists his "secret name" as Fukyu Kongō, or "Vajra of Universal Salvation". The inscription to the left of the bottom lotus identifies the seed-syllable, or siddham character associated with the divinity. 

Physical Description:

An illustration of the bodhisattva Jokaishō, the divine figure is seated on a lotus blossom venerating a reliquary. The figure sits cross-legged on a red lotus blossom, while beneath the figure is a blue sutra box on a green and yellow lotus. The image is depicted with largely even "iron-wire" lines typical of Heian period Buddhist painting. 

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.