Kiyoshikojin Seichoji Temple: Sakyamuni Buddha Triad

JAPAN, Hyogo, Takarazuka; Kamakura to Nanbokucho period

This is a set of three 14th century paintings depicting Sakyamuni Buddha, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Manjusri Bodhisattva. In 1975, the set was listed as an Important Cultural Property.
The central panel, which measures 112.2 cm in height and 59.1 cm in width, features Sakyamuni Buddha sitting in full lotus position upon a rock. The Buddha has narrow eyes, a small usnisa, and a white urna. He wears a red monastic robe decorated with gold floral patterns, and has a bracelet on each wrist. Each hand forms a different mudra. Clouds are painted in the background behind the Buddha.
In the other two images, Manjusri and Samantabhadra both sit in relaxed postures on the backs of animals. Manjusri holds a ruyi (wish-fulfilling talisman) in the right hand and a scriptural scroll in the left, and sits on the back of a wide-eyed, long-haired lion. Samantabhadra sits upon a smiling elephant, studying a scriptural scroll. Both Bodhisattvas are adorned with jewelry. Manjusri wears a unique headdress, while Samantabhadra has his hair curled around a pin. The painting of Manjusri measures 109.3 cm in height and 44 cm in width, while the painting of Samantabhadra measures 109.4 cm and 44.3 cm in height and width.
The artist, Ryozen, uses many different kinds of lines to create highly nuanced images. He was one of the first painters in Japan to combine traditional ink painting techniques with the newly emerging Zen style, producing paintings that are both elegant and unconventional.