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Shaka, the Historical Buddha, Preaching on Vulture Peak


法華堂根本曼荼羅図
Japanese
Nara period
8th century

Medium/Technique Panel; ink, color, and gold on ramie
Dimensions 107.1 x 143.5cm (42 3/16 x 56 1/2in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.6120
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings

Catalogue Raisonné MFA, Japanese Masterpieces (2012), #5; MFA Highlights: Arts of Japan (2008), p. 48; Kajima Foundation MFA cat. 1 (Japanese ed. 1997, English ed. 1998), ch. I (Buddhist & Shinto ptg.), no. 1
Inscriptions法華堂根本曼陀羅/右曼陀羅者霊山之變相天竺之/眞本也 而釋迦座已下皆悉破壊/畢 或自然損失或人以切取多送/星霜不知年紀 爰久安四秊三月/以寺儈已講大法師珍海殊令修補/是稟家風尤巧畫 之故也 爲/貽來葉粗記子細而已/別當法務権大儈都寛信 [裏書]
ProvenanceOriginally owned by Tôdai-ji, Nara. 1886, sold by Kiryû kôshô kaisha to William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926) [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 (including 11.6120) at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.