Honganji Monnyo 本願寺本如 (1778–1826): 'Buddha', ink and colour on textile, Edo, 18/19th C.

Dim.: 50,5 x 25 cm (the frame)
Dim.: 48 x 23 cm (the work)

Honganji Monnyo 本願寺本如 (1778–1826) was the nineteenth head priest of Kyoto's prestigious Nishi Hongan-ji temple, one of the most important Buddhist institutions in Japanese history. The present work depicts the 'Hōben Hosshin Sonkei' Buddha, a sacred manifestation of Amida Buddha in his 'expedient' or 'skillful means' form, and bears a signiature of Honganji Monnyo on the reverse. The solemn iconography and refined mounting of the painting, further decorated with chrysanthemum and paulownia crests, reflect the close association between the Hongan-ji lineage, the shogunate and the imperial court.

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