This painting expresses an iconography prevalent throughout East Asia in which the bodhisattva Kannon (Skt. Avalokiteśvara) gazes upon the reflection of the moon in the water’s surface. The inscription at the top of the painting was left by Ten’an Myōju (dates unknown), a high-ranking Zen priest at such institutions as Nanzenji Temple. The last line (reading left to right) begins with “Tokuzan,” or “Mountain of Merit”—an epithet for Ankokuji Temple (Ayabe City, Kyoto prefecture) in what was then Tanba Province. Ankokuji was founded during the Kenmu era (1334–1338), so Tenan’s reference dates his inscription to around that time or later.
TANIGUCHI KoseiEnglish by Mary Lewine
Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, p.333, no.196.
Important Cultural Property
Water Moon Kannon (Avalokiteśvara)
Hanging scroll; ink and light colors on silk
H 88.0, W 36.7
Kamakura period 14th century
- D017580
- D017580
- 1997/03/06
- A024904
- 1997/03/06
- A024905
- 1997/03/06
- A024906
- 1997/03/06
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| Accession Number | 1179-0 |
|---|---|
| Category | Paintings |
| Artist, Maker or Writer | Inscription by Tennan MyMju |
| Bibliography | Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, 354p. Worshipping Kannon: treasures from the thirty-three pilgrimage sites of western Japan. 2008, 307,xvp. (Japanese) Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of the Nara National Museum: Buddhist Painting. Nara National Museum, 2002, 169p. (Japanese) Masterpieces from the Collection of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1997, 350p. (Japanese) |