Mandala of Kichijo-ten (Srimahadevi)

Data

Explanation

This mandala has at its center Kichijōten the Buddhist goddess for happiness and virtue, accompanied by Bonten (Brahma) and Taishakuten (Sakro Devanam indrah) on each side and the Four Guardian Kings surrounding them. Kichijōten has her left hand in front of her breast with a sacred gem, and the right hand making blessing. This motif first appeared in a sutra translated into Chinese before it was brought to Japan. Since it appears mostly in monochrome in mandala collections, this polychrome mandala is a rare work. Formerly owned by Tōji temple in Kyoto.