Fumonin Temple: Gonso Sojo

JAPAN, Wakayama, Ito; Heian period

This figurative painting of Gonso Sojo is said to date from 810. Gonso is an eminent monk of the Sanron (Three Treatise) school. Folklore relates that in 793 of the Nara period, Gonso told the monk Kukai about the Gumonjiho ritual, a means of acquiring phenomenal powers of memory by repeating Akasagarbha Bodhisattva’s mantra one million times. Kukai completed the ritual, and went on to found the Shingon school in Japan. There is an inscription by Kukai on the top register of the painting that reads “compliments to the eminent monk Gonso.” The postscript in the bottom right corner states that the painting was given to Gumonji Hall in Tenkawa, Yoshino in 1512. It was later moved to Fumonin Temple, and was listed as a National Treasure of Japan in 1954.
Gonso, with his body inclined forward, sits on an ottoman. He holds prayer beads with his right hand, and the left hand forms a mudra. Portrayed with bright eyes and an earnest demeanor, Gonso appears to be engaged in a debate.