Kofuku-ji Mandala

Unknown artist

Kamakura ・12th～13th

Kyoto National Museum

This is a vertical scroll painting depicting numerous figures arranged in registers. The top section shows a landscape with trees and buildings, while the lower sections are filled with golden figures in various poses and attire, some seated and some standing. This is a vertical scroll painting depicting numerous figures arranged in registers. The top section shows a landscape with trees and buildings, while the lower sections are filled with golden figures in various poses and attire, some seated and some standing. This is one the Kasuga shrine and temple mandalas that depict Kasuga Shrine and Kofuku-ji Temple. This painting is unusual, however, in that it portrays Kofuku-ji Temple as its primary subject. The work depicts Buddhist statues in ink on gold leaf, which adds appropriate brightness to the scene. Although minutely detailed, the overall painting style is magnificant and lavish.