Chūjō-hime and the Taima Mandala
Weaving Tales of Faith

The Taima Mandala of Taimadera Temple (National Treasure), which was created 1,250 years ago, is revered as a miraculous work. Chūjō-hime , thought to have been the daughter of an important Nara-period aristocrat, aspired to rebirth in the Pure Land (Gokuraku) of Amida Buddha. From the Kamakura period (1185–1333) to the present day, she has been associated with the production of the mandala.

The original Nara-period version of the mandala was copied in 1686 (Jōkyō 3) during the Edo period (1603–1867). This exhibition celebrates the full-scale conservation of the Jōkyō-era version. Materials discovered in the course of its restoration are on display, and we hope that you experience not only the splendor of the revitalized mandala, but also something of the broader religious context from which it emerged. The Edo-period copy of the mandala reflects an important moment in the history of the interwoven beliefs surrounding the mandala and the figure of Chūjō-hime. Some venerate the Taima Mandala as the most efficacious Buddhist image in Japan, and, as a woman who sought to attain enlightenment in spite of doctrinal prejudices, Chūjō-hime has long been a cherished heroine. We invite you to enter the world of legends and masterworks threaded together by Buddhist faith.