Akasagarbha Bodhisattva

JAPAN; Heian period

This mid-12th century painting of Akasagarbha Bodhisattva was listed as a National Treasure in 1951. Together with the painting of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva collected by the same museum, they are regarded as representations of Buddhist paintings during the rule of the cloistered emperors. The Bodhisattva sits in lotus position on a lotus throne resting on a rock above the ocean. Akasagarbha wears an ornate headdress and armlets, holds the wish-fulfilling jewel in the left hand, and forms the varada (wish-granting) mudra with right hand. The fair skin of the Bodhisattva is washed in light peach color and outlined with fine red lines. The eyes and eyebrows are delicately drawn. A soft, elegant impression is created using silver and gold against dull blues, greens, and browns. This image matches the description of Akasagarbha Bodhisattva in the Sutra on the Mandala of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas. The solemn facial expression, the draperies on the lotus throne, and the design of the aureole reflect the style of Heian period Japanese Buddhist art.