Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Ten Raksasis

JAPAN; Kamakura period

This 13th century artwork depicts the protectors of the Lotus Sutra described in the “Chapter on the Encouragement of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva” and the “Chapter on Dharani.” It is listed as an Important Cultural Property. Samantabhadra, wearing a tall headdress and a patched monastic robe, is seated on a lotus throne on the back of a six-tusked elephant. The palms are joined in front of the chest, forming the anjali (reverence) mudra. Rays of light emanate from the head of the Bodhisattva, suggesting the influence of Chinese Song dynasty (960–1279) Buddhist art. Dhrtarastra, Heavenly King of the East, and Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, are depicted beside Samantabhadra. Each king is dressed in armor and has a nimbus outlined with flame patterns. Below them, the peaceful Bhaisajyaraja Bodhisattva and Pradhanasura Bodhisattva stand with joined palms. The figures with long black hair are the ten raksasis. They are all dressed in a junihitoe, an elegant layered kimono worn by court ladies during the Heian period (794–1185). On the right, in the bottom register, Hariti is shown gazing down at a small child she holds in her arms. All of the figures stand upon a trail of clouds that extends off into the distance at the top of the picture.