February 28, 2008
15th Century Hakii Portrait at Minobusan
Updated 2/28/2008
Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
This portrait is often confused with the Water Mirror { Mizukagami} portrait kept at Nakayama. Actually, this one was made in the 1400's, so if Nichiren's reflection was in the water, it was a vision or spirit. It is correctly known as the Hakii Portrait. Details: Muromachi period {15th/16th century}, Panel, colors on paper, measuring 39.0 X 38.2 cm. It is kept at Minobusan Kuonji. According to their web-site, 'it is said' to represent the Shonin at age 60, in 1281, at the main mansion of Hakii.
The artist had apparently traveled to view the original 13th Century Mizukagami Portrait at Nakayama Joko-in. He wanted to paint Nichiren as he would have looked like at age 60, in 1281, while visiting Lord Hakiri's main mansion at Monobu, for the last time. So using the original as a guide, he 'aged' Nichiren.
Note that the perspective in the painting has Nichiren looking to the right {our left}. While no longer observed since about the 16th Century, this traditionally indicated a posthumous portrait.
On Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin
Minobusan Kuon-ji houses at least one {1} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon:
*Mandala #087. Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style. .
*The now lost Dai Mandara of July 08 1273 was also kept there.
*It is also thought to be home to the unpublished Last Mandala Inscribed by the Late Master
Links
Minobusan Kuonji Official Home Page
nichirenpix Minobusan Kuonji Links
Posted in Robin Beck on April 12, 2007 02:21 AM
Posted by rbeck at February 28, 2008 04:13 PM