Enryakuji Temple: Manjusri Bodhisattva

JAPAN, Shiga, Otsu; Kamakura period

This 13th century painting was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1908. Manjusri Bodhisattva sits on a lotus throne on the back of a lion. One hand grasps a flaming sword and the other holds a long-stemmed blue lotus that supports a sutra case. The hair is elegantly tied in five hair knots, and the body is adorned with exquisite silver jewelry. Silver is also used to highlight the petals of the lotus throne. The nimbus and the aureole are painted with simple gold lines. The lion has an open mouth and fierce eyes, wears an ornamented collar, and stands on four lotuses. The mane and tail are skillfully depicted with delicate curving lines, while the legs and body are outlined with black strokes. The sparingly used silver, red, and white colors stand out brightly from the brown background.