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「のゝ字翁書つくし 大日経」
Dainichi Sutra (Dainichi kyô), from the series Collection of the Calligraphy of the Old Master of the Character “No” (Nonoji no okina shozukushi)
「のゝ字翁書つくし 大日経」
Yashima Gakutei (Japanese, 1786?–1868)
Japanese
Edo period
1818 (Bunka 15/Bunsei1)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Horizontal chûban; 21.2 x 27.3 cm (8 3/8 x 10 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.20484
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
The Dainichi Sutra is one of the central texts of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. Here a monkey, most likely a reference to the Monkey Year of the zodiac, unrolls a scroll with the months of the year written in a Chinese style, in imitation of a sutra. The accompanying poem weaves together both Buddhist and Shinto (the native religion of Japan) imagery, comparing sutras unrolled for a ritual “airing” to the shimenawa, a ritual rope used to consecrate sacred areas.
DescriptionThe inscription on the scroll is not actually the text of the sutra but gives calendrical information on the long and short months for 1818 (long: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12; short: 3, 5, 8, 10, 11).
Signed
Gakutei hitsu
岳亭筆
岳亭筆
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.