Illustration of the Contemplation Sutra (Taima Mandara)
Date17th century
Maker
Japanese
Label TextThis mandala is a visualization of the Contemplation Sutra, a canon revered by Pure Land Buddhists. Amida is seated at the center of his paradise, surrounded by bodhisattvas, celestial beings, musicians, and dancers. The mandala’s left border illustrates the discovery and introduction of the sutra; the right border depicts thirteen of the sixteen contemplations that serve as a guide to visualizing Amida’s paradise. The Nine Stages of Rebirth appear in the bottom border.
Object number61.78
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Legends, Tales, Poetry: Visual Narrative in Japanese Art, Dec. 22, 2012 - July 21, 2013.
Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view Aug. 4, 2022 - Jan. 8, 2023].Credit LineGift of Mrs. John C. Atwood, Jr.
Dimensions60 3/16 x 34 1/8 in. (152.9 x 86.7cm), overall
31 1/2 x 28 3/8 in. (80 x 72cm), image
MediumInk and color on silk
Katsushika Hokusai
ca. 1815-49
Object number: 39.163
1958-63
Object number: 2017.22.1
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