National Treasure Gallery: Patriarch of the Tendai School Zenmui (Subhakarasimha)
-
Patriarch of the Tendai School Zenmui (Subhakarasimha) (detail), Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure, Lent by Ichijoji, Hyogo)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
November 27, 2018 (Tue) - December 9, 2018 (Sun)This work is from a set of ten portraits of high priests who were influential in the development of the Tendai (or “Tiantai” in Chinese) sect of Buddhism in India, China, and Japan. The person portrayed in this work, Subhakarashimha (637–735), was an Indian priest who propagated Esoteric Buddhism in China between the latter half of the 7th century and the first half of the 8th century. His portrait is thought to have been included in the set in order for the Japanese Tendai sect to justify its policy of integrating esoteric elements into its doctrine. This portrait is a typical example of 11th-century Japanese painting in the use of warm and brilliant colors, with its highlight being strong presence achieved by uniquely deformed representation of a human figure.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Patriarch of the Tendai School Zenmui (Subhakarasimha) | Heian period, 11th century | Lent by Ichijoji, Hyogo |