『往生要集』|The Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land (Ojōyōshū)

Unknown

1790 · Woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

This set of illustrated books reproduces a medieval text known as the Ojōyōshū, written by the Buddhist monk Genshin (942–1017) in the late 900s. Genshin’s treatise includes startling descriptions of the various hells into which a sinner could be reborn and explains Pure Land practices that ensured rebirth in paradise. One powerful technique, nenbutsu, involves the visualization or recitation of Amida’s name. The monk’s teachings exerted major influence on later followers of Amida and Pure Land Buddhism.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1790

Medium

Woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Betty and Paul Nomura, in memory of Nomura Shōjirō, 2018