Ikarugadera Temple: Prince Shotoku Teaching the Srimala Sutra

JAPAN, Hyogo, Ibo; Kamakura period

This painting depicts an event from 606 of the Asuka period, when Empress Suiko (reigned 593–628) invited Prince Shotoku to give a teaching on the Srimaladevi Simhanada Sutra, or Srimala Sutra for short. The sutra, expounded primarily for female householders, narrates the ten vows upheld by Srimala, the three great aspirations, and the unique path of Mahayana. Paintings of Prince Shotoku began to appear as early as 1069 of the Heian period. This 13th century painting is listed as an Important Cultural Property.
The prince sits at the top of the picture, wearing orange and white robes. He appears solemn and dignified, holding a whisk in his left hand and extending his right hand over the table in front of him. Beside and below the prince, there are five seated figures, identified by inscriptions as Prince Yamashiro, Goguryeo monk Hyeja, Paekche scholar-official Gakka, Soga no Umako, and Ono no Imoko. The figures gaze up at the prince or look downwards, concentrating intently as they listen to the Dharma. Lotus petals are scattered on the ground at the bottom of the picture. In the upper right corner, there is an incense burner and two vases containing flowers.
The painting shows delicate brushwork and bright colors. Though it was created during the early Kamakura period (1185–1333), it displays many elements of Heian period style.