Chinkai

JAPAN, Kyoto; Heian period

The son of court painter Fujiwara no Motomitsu, Chinkai, also known as Rihobo, was a monk and a painter. He studied various schools of Buddhism, including the Sanron and Kegon schools at Todaiji Temple in Nara. In later years he received Vajrayana teachings at Kajuji Temple and Sanboin Temple, as well as from monk Jokai of Daigoji Temple, where he eventually resided. Having also studied Pure Land teachings, he authored Collection of Texts on the Certainty of Rebirth in Paradise.
Chinkai was a well-known painter of Buddhist imagery, particularly that of Vajrayana Buddhism. His depiction of the Twelve Heavenly Beings is said to be based on copies according to the iconography handed down to Sanboin Temple. It is listed as an Important Cultural Property and is kept at the Tokyo National Museum. Painted by Chinkai and his teacher, Kakuju, Kusha Mandala illustrates the lineage holders of the Abhidharmakosa school; it is listed as a National Treasure and kept at Todaiji Temple.
Talented in the restoration of paintings, on the back of Assembly at Vulture Peak, currently collected at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA, there is an inscription which attributes the restoration to Chinkai. He also produced a copy of a missing painting , the Southern Protectors, from a depiction of the Protectors of the Five Directions in the Benevolent King Sutra; the set of images was originally painted by Master Kukai, and the missing painting which depicted the Southern Protectors was painted by Chinkai. The work is now kept as an Important Cultural Property at Toji Temple in Kyoto.