見返り地蔵菩薩図|The Bodhisattva Jizō “Looking Back”

Unidentified artist

14th century · Hanging scroll; ink, color, gold paint (kindei), and cut gold on silk · Asian Art

The merciful bodhisattva Jizō (Sanskrit: Kshitigarbha) is shown leading a soul to paradise. Standing atop a cloud, with his left foot forward, a golden staff held against his shoulder, and wearing garments rich with delicate patterns in cut gold leaf, he turns to gaze at his follower with gentle vigilance. Popularly known as the Mikaeri Jizō (“Jizō looking back”), this type of image poignantly reflects faith in the bodhisattva’s merciful guidance through the sufferings of the six realms of existence (rokudō) to the bliss of Amida Buddha’s Western Paradise.

Artist

Unidentified artist

Date

14th century

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink, color, gold paint (kindei), and cut gold on silk

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Mrs. J. Watson Webb, 1930