"The Realm of Beasts" from The Six Realms of Existence (National Treasure)
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"The Realm of Beasts" from The Six Realms of Existence (detail)
Kamakura period, 13th century, Lent by Shōjuraikōji Temple, Shiga (National Treasure)UpcomingJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
June 17, 2025 (Tue) - July 21, 2025 (Mon)Buddhism teaches that people are reborn into one of the Six Realms of Existence based on their actions in life. This painting depicts the Asura Realm, a world of constant conflict where people filled with anger and greed are reborn.
At the top, a fierce battle rages. At the bottom, women gaze into a truth-revealing pool and discover their people’s devastating defeat. In this way, the painting illustrates the consequences of anger and greed while encouraging viewers to reflect on their actions. It is also historically important, as it belongs to the oldest complete set of paintings depicting the Six Realms of Existence.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | "The Realm of Beasts" from "The Six Realms of Existence" | Kamakura period, 13th century | Lent by Shōjuraikōji Temple, Shiga |