Heart Sutra Manuscript and the Smaller Sutra of Amida Buddha
- Date
-
制作年 AD12
- Title
- コンシコンジハンニャシンギョウ・アミダキョウ
- Materials, techniques and shape
- 紺紙金字銀界
- Collections
- Century Akao Collection
- Depository
- Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) Campus Mita
- Ref. number
- AW-CEN-000413-0000
- License
- CC BY Images license
- Creditline
-
慶應義塾（センチュリー赤尾コレクション）
- URL
- Classification
- Art
- AI Tagging
- Rectangle Font Commemorative plaque Wood Pattern
The exhibited scroll was created elaborately. First, the artists drew lines with gold mud on paper dyed blue. Then they copied the Heart Sutra, followed by the copying of the Amitabha Sutra. The two Buddhist scriptures copied onto a single scroll was rare. It was more common to copy either the Heart Sutra or Amitabha Sutra as separate volumes to dedicate to a temple when consecrating a copy (manuscript) of the Lotus Sutra. Perhaps the votive wish originator put these shorter sutras together. The Heart Sutra (Jp. Hannya Shingyo) was a condensation of the many volumes of the Great Hannyakyo Sutra in a mere 262 characters. The most widely-read version was that translated by Priest Genjo (Ch. Xuanzan or Hsuan-Tsang; 602-664). The Amitabha Sutra was the shortest of the Three Sutras of the Pure Land, namely, the Sutra of Indefinite Life, the Meditation Sutra and the Amitabha Sutra (Jp. Amidakyo). As they were short, they were fit for loud scripture reading at services. This explains why they were copied in profuse numbers in the latter Heian Period and early Kamakura Period, when belief in the Lotus Sutra was at its height. The sacred flower patterns decorate the front cover, and the overleaf shows highly decorative designs of pagodas and the Amitabha Triad, i.e., the statue of Buddha Amitabha (Jp. Amida) flanked by two Bodhisattvas drawn with gold mud. The main text appears to have been written by a professional scroll decorator. The wooden roller is made into a plectrum shape of gilt bronze, and the top and bottom edges show hairline engravings of arabesque designs. The rich and elegant finish reminds one of the splendors of the ancient dynasties.
Overview
Rights
Depository and ID
Components
OPEN DATADESIGN
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Details
Identifiers
- Title (EN)
- Heart Sutra Manuscript and the Smaller Sutra of Amida Buddha
Physical description
- Weights and quantities
-
Quantity 1巻
- Attachments
- 外箱1（紙蓋かぶせ）／要美術品等認定申請書1通
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