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Painting of Kokūzō Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of the Sky Matrix), used as the focal image in Gumonjihō, an esoteric rite for improving
Painting of Kokūzō Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of the Sky Matrix), used as the focal image in Gumonjihō, an esoteric rite for improving one's memory
Municipally Designated Important Cultural Property (designated by Setouchi City in 2004)
Made: Muromachi period (15th century CE)
Hōkōji temple, Kashino, Ushimado
Color on silk, hanging scroll
111.2×45.5 cm The uppermost 34.6cmof the scroll’s backing has been replaced
This image is dominated by the figure of Kokūzō Bosatsu (the Bodhisattva of the Sky Matrix), enclosed within a large white circle. From his hand gesture and the light rays depicted with gold foil in the background, we can tell that this was used as the principal image in the esoteric rite of Gumonjihō, which was believed to improve one’s memory.
Below the bodhisattva, Myōjō Tenshi sits atop a dragon. The embodiment of the planet of Venus, Myōjō Tenshi is believed to be another form of Kokūzō Bosatsu.
An important, old example of Kokūzō Bosatsu depicted together with Myōjō Tenshi, due to its use of 14th century painting styles, it is thought that this painting was made no later than the first half of the 15th century.
