Title: Willow-and-Moon Kannon (Yoryu Kannon, or Avalokiteśvara), Circa 1910-1930. A Beautiful Silk Painting of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Painted in Gold against an Indigo Blackground
Author: Yagi Ariyoshi
Condition: Very Good
A Late Meiji to very Early Showa Period, early 20th century silk painting of the Willow-and-Moon Kannon, also known as the Yoryu Kannon, or Avalokiteśvara.
The main icon of Yoryu Kannon has been fully painted to heavy detail in gold, with particular focus to the design of the Kannon's vestments, and a large, radiating mandorla. The background is an intense shade of indigo, making the Kannon shine all the brighter.
One of the 33 different manifestations of Avalokiteśvara. Yoryu Kannon is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, its mission to save people from illness. It is called Yoryu Kannon because it holds a willow branch in its right hand. The Kannon is depicted in various cultures, and during the Goryeo Period of Korea has been depicted in paintings such as the Water-Moon Avalokiteśvara
A Japan painter active Late Meiji to Early Showa periods, Yagi Ariyoshi was once a well-known painter, being listed in the National Painting Excellence Directory.
The painting has been neatly mounted onto a brocade decorated kakejiku (hanging scroll), with jikusaki (knobs) made of lacquered wood. There is a wooden box to accompany it, preserving the scroll.
One silk painting mounted on a kakejiku (hanging scroll), 197 x 55 cm full size, 111 x 41 cm main painting
This painting is in very good shape, with very little rubbing or wear to the painting, and very light staining to a small side margin of the painting.