The Bodhisattva Jizō “Looking Back”
The merciful bodhisattva Jizō (Sanskrit: Kshitigarbha) is shown leading a soul to paradise. Standing atop a cloud, with his left foot forward, a golden staff held against his shoulder, and wearing garments rich with delicate patterns in cut gold leaf, he turns to gaze at his follower with gentle vigilance. Popularly known as the Mikaeri Jizō (“Jizō looking back”), this type of image poignantly reflects faith in the bodhisattva’s merciful guidance through the sufferings of the six realms of existence (rokudō) to the bliss of Amida Buddha’s Western Paradise.
Artwork Details
- 見返り地蔵菩薩図
- Title: The Bodhisattva Jizō “Looking Back”
- Artist: Unidentified artist
- Period: Nanbokuchō period (1336–92)
- Date: 14th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink, color, gold paint (kindei), and cut gold on silk
- Dimensions: Image: 33 1/4 x 14 1/2 in. (84.5 x 36.8 cm)
Overall with mounting: 63 9/16 x 20 9/16 in. (161.4 x 52.2 cm)
Overall with knobs: 64 9/16 x 22 7/16 in. (164 x 57 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Mrs. J. Watson Webb, 1930
- Object Number: 30.72.2
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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