Mandala of Kasuga Shrine

early 14th century

Not on view

Combining the conceptual framework of the Buddhist mandala with elements of traditional Japanese painting, artists produced representations of shrine precincts in this unique genre of painting known as “shrine mandala” (miya mandara). This example of a Kasuga Shrine mandala depicts the sprawling complex at the foot of Mount Mikasa from a bird’s-eye perspective, inviting the viewer to embark on a virtual pilgrimage to the site and thereby gain the favor of Kasuga’s deities. The Buddhist avatars of the five Kasuga deities appear at the top of the scroll. From right to left they are: Eleven-headed Kannon (Jūichimen Kannon), Kannon of the Unfailing Noose (Fukūkensaku Kannon), the Medicine Buddha (Yakushi), the bodhisattva Jizō, and another Eleven-headed Kannon.

Artwork Details

春日宮曼荼羅 (Kasuga miya mandara)
Title: Mandala of Kasuga Shrine
Period: Kamakura period (1185–1333)
Date: early 14th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
Dimensions: Image: 39 7/16 × 15 5/8 in. (100.2 × 39.7 cm)
Overall with mounting: 72 1/4 × 21 5/8 in. (183.5 × 55 cm)
Overall with knobs: 72 1/4 × 23 11/16 in. (183.5 × 60.2 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
Object Number: 2015.300.12
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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