Title: The Bodhisattva Manjusri (Monju Bosatsu), 1356. An Extremely Rare Silk Painting Depicting the Bodhisattva who represents Transcendent Wisdom, Once Part of a Shaka Triad Set
Condition: Very Good
An extremely rare, Early Muromachi Period, mid 14th Century silk painting depicting the Bodhisattva Manjusri, or Monju Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva who represents Transcendent Wisdom. The Bodhisattva sits atop a ferocious guardian lion, with a beautiful, golden mandorla, and a stave in hand. This depiction differs from the Five Topknot Monju and appears to be one that would have been part of an early Shakyamuni Triad painting, with the Buddha accompanies by both Fugen and Bosatsu.
There is an inscription to the rear, dating the painting to the First year of the Enbun Era during the Northern and Southern Courts Period.
The painting has been neatly mounted onto a brocade decorated kakejiku (hanging scroll), with jikusaki (knobs) made of brass. There is a wooden box to accompany it, preserving the scroll.
One silk painting mounted on a kakejiku (hanging scroll), 106 x 33.5 cm full size, 50.4 x 21.7 cm main painting
This painting is in very good shape, with some creasing and a few minor cracks to the silk painting. The rear of the painting has slightly chipped at the edges, but the inscription is fully preserved.