Title: Kōmyō Shingon (Light Mantra), 1717. A Manuscript Edition of the Mantra of Light, with Flowering Illuminations in Gold, With Sanskrit Text of the Mantra itself
Author: Onodera Kosuke(?)
Condition: Very Good
An Early Edo Period, early 17th century, illuminated handscroll of beautifully painted and decorated calligraphy, being a handscroll on the Kōmyō Shingon, or Light Mantra. In both Chinese Buddhism and Japanese Buddhism, the mantra is associated with both the Buddha Vairocana as well as the Bodhisattva Amoghapāśa.
Although it is documented that the monk Kukai brought a copy of one Amoghavajra’s sutra translations containing the mantra to Japan (sometime during the 9th century), there is no record it was ever used in his practices, but records do show it saw increased used in the Heian Period, and in the 13th century it was widely popularized by the monk Myoe. Today it remains one of the most popular mantras in Shingon Buddhism, and sees usage among the Tendai, Zen, and Kegon sects.
Although the main text is in kanji, at the very beginning, we can see the original Sanskrit of the mantra itself, being ॐ अमोघ वैरोचन महामुद्रा मणिपद्म ज्वाल प्रवर्त्तय हूं, or phonetically, Oṃ Amogha Vairocana Mahāmudrā Maṇi-padma Jvāla-pravarttaya Hūṃ.
At the end of the mantra is an inscribed date to the Era and year of Kyoho 2, or 1717. There is also a possible calligrapher name of Onodera Kosuke.
The handscroll is produced on fine torinoko paper, and the paper has been beautifully hand-painted and decorated, with golden flowering illustrations throughout. At the very beginning are characters written in Sanskrit as well.
The scroll has been bound with protective covers, and there are jikusaki (knobs) made of lacquered wood.
One handscroll of illuminated manuscript calligraphy on paper, 18 x 167 cm
This manuscript is in very good shape, with some rubbing and wear to the protective cover. There are some creases and roll marks throughout, and the paper preceding the main handscroll has wear and a few tears to the margins. There is very light, scattered pinpricks of staining and soiling.