Daigoji Temple: Manjusri Crossing the Sea

JAPAN, Kyoto; Kamakura period

This 13th century Japanese painting portrays Manjusri Bodhisattva riding on clouds across the ocean. It was listed as a National Treasure in 1955. Manjusri sits on a lotus throne on the back of a lion. Painted a brilliant white color, the Bodhisattva wears a stole, a patterned dhoti, a necklace, armlets, and bracelets. The left hand holds a green lotus flower that supports a scripture, while the right hand holds up a sword. Manjusri’s hair is bound into five hair knots decorated with Buddha images. The nimbus and mandorla surrounding the Bodhisattva are both painted with simple golden lines. The black lion stands upon lotus pedestals and looks over to the left with a fierce expression. King Udayana, with a tall headdress and a long beard, is shown on the left, holding a red rope attached to the lion’s neck and looking intently back at the beast. The elderly Saisho Rojin stands above Udayana, and the Indian monk Buddhapali is on the right. In the lower right corner, Sudhana joins his palms and looks up at Manjusri. Billowing white clouds support the figures. The dark waves below are depicted with rounded lines.