Ryokoin Temple: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Ink and color on silk
Ryokoin Temple: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
JAPAN, Wakayama, Ito; Heian period
This 12th century painting is said to depict Master Kukai’s vision of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. In 804, when Kukai was sailing to China to study Buddhism, the ship encountered raging winds and Kukai had a vision of Avalokitesvara. The painting is highly prized for this reason. It was listed as a National Treasure in 1953.
Standing on a square platform upon a flowing cloud, the golden Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva wears a floral headdress, holds a long-stemmed lotus, and forms a mudra. The robe is adorned with intricate patterns and fine fringes. The unusually large, rounded face gazes downwards intently as the Bodhisattva concentrates to suppress the storm. Gold foil and paint are liberally applied to achieve a dazzling effect and make the figure stand out from the dark background. Silver foil is used on the edges of the garment for a more delicate look.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z, page 774.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Youlu and Wilson, Graham and Manho and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z},
pages = 774,
title = {{Ryokoin Temple: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva}},
volume = 16,
year = {2016}}