Fragment of the Illustrated Legends of Jin’ōji
Titles
- Jin'o-ji engi emaki dankan
- 神於寺縁起絵巻断簡
Artist
Anonymous
Datemid -14th century
GeographyJapan
Mediumink and colors on mica-coated paper
Dimensions14 7/16 x 22 in. (36.6 x 55.9 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of John Gregg Allerton, 1960 (2824.1)
Object number2824.1
DescriptionIn this painting, En-no-Gyöja, dressed like a hermit in a robe of vines, meets with Höshö Gongen in a pavilion. Gyöja sits on a tiger-skin mat and faces the guardian deity, who is dressed in armor and flowing robes. A flaming halo appears behind Höshö Gongen's head, and his hands are clasped in a mudrä (mystic hand gesture). En-no-Gyöja holds a vajra (thunderbolt/Esoteric ritual implement) and a shakujö (staff). Outside the pavilion six attendants are seated on the ground; two are dressed as Chinese civil officials who are mediums called shikigami, messenger/guide of Höshö Gongen. The other four are demons; two on the left holding a bow and arrows, a sword and a staff are the Gongen's assistant, and the other two on the right are En-no- Gyöja's assistants, one of whom holds a crutch. The supernatural figures are identified in the painting by names inscribed in gold ink on small strips of blue paper which have been pasted onto the surface of the scroll.On View
Not on viewCollections
