Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Triad

KOREA; Goryeo dynasty

This painting depicts Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Poisonless Ghost King, monk Daoming, and a lion-like auspicious creature. It was painted in the 14th century during the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), a time when Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was popularly venerated in Korea. The painting was listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1908.
The Bodhisattva wears earrings, ornaments, a headscarf, and a monastic robe. The right hand holds a jewel and the left hand forms a mudra in front of the chest. The Bodhisattva has a nimbus and a mandorla, and sits on a rock with the right leg tucked up against the body and the left leg resting on a lotus pedestal. In front of Ksitigarbha, Daoming stands on the right holding a monk’s staff, and the Ghost King is on the left, holding a sutra case. The auspicious creature, with head turned and eyes wide open, sits between them. Decorative patterns painted in gold adorn the clothing of the figures.