Robin Beck

Styles of Nichiren Mandala Transcriptions and Signatures

In this entry, I look at the various ways Nichiren's disciples have reproduced his Mandala Gohonzon over the years. The focus is on how the copies are signed. I include a few samples. These are for study only, they are not of adequate resolution fir printing anyway. Please feel free to down load them for the purpose of study. I do not know how long I will leave them hot linked. I have included the data I have on them, not all of it is translated. I have come to few tentative conclusions on some general styles of signing the copies. At least two of these appear to be a protocol; one definitely is. The others might be random, used at the transcriber's own discretion. I hope this is a useful entry for others who are interested in studying this topic, as well as those interested in general information.

The method of reproducing the Calligraphy Mandala Honzon designed by Nichiren has been varied and sometimes controversial since shortly after the Shonin passed on. Over the centuries, many styles evolved. I have looked at a number of pictures and come to a few still very tentative conclusions. We know more about Nikko Monryu, especially the Taisekiji branch, than the others. This is because the Soka Gakkai was affiliated with Taisekiji. Since Soka Gakkai has spurred much interest in Nichiren Buddhism in the West, much has more has been written. Moreover, Taisekiji is very particular about the method of transcription. Many assume that the Taisekiji way is the best way; for no other reason than that is what we were taught.

As of now, here are the main styles I have seen regarding the signature:

1. Wood block print: A wood block was made by carefully tracing a Nichiren original. The prints will have Nichiren's name & kao seal somewhere at the bottom, exactly as Nichiren signed the original work. Some have adduced or divined that the location of Nichiren's name & kao seal, relative to the Daimoku, on the originals and duplicates, has some mystical significance. I just do not 'see it,' I think he simply signed & sealed his work, just as an artist might sign a painting. One other thing, the wood block print may or not have an engraver's or copier's name and/or kao somewhere at the bottom, sort of as a co-signature. The method of making the wood block DID NOT damage or destroy the original. However, Nikko Shonin evidently did not approve of duplicating Nichiren originals this way, perhaps because he felt it devalued the original.

2. Nichiren Zaigohan or Gohan: This was used by Nikko and his immediate successors at Kitayama, Taisekiji, & Taisekiji. Nikko's signature reads, from the bottom up, "Nikko, on behalf of Nichiren." The Kanji for "On behalf of" can also be translated as "by decree of" or "By authority of. Nikko's koa seal is there too. On some, Nikko wrote "copy this." Those were used to make wood blocks.

Nichiren's name in written in Kanji below the Daimoku. Some added the two characters for Shonin that mean 'sage' or 'saint.' This is followed by "Zai Go Han." Below that is the name and kao seal of the Minister who wrote the calligraphy. Basically, the Minister appears to have signed for Nichiren; or in Nichiren's stead. Taisekiji follows this method to this day.

The format does go back to Nikko. However, beginning with Nichikan Shonin, Taisekiji has taken the location of Nichiren's name, exactly centered below the Daimoku, as meaning the central inscription is read, "Nam' Myoho Renge Kyo Nichiren" indicating that Nichiren is the Buddha whose life is one with the law. One other thing, we do not see Nichiren's Kao on these at all.

3. The Minister's name & kao is at the bottom, Nichiren's name is not there. I have pictures of Mandalas by Nichiro Shonin and Nichizo Shonin like this, the originals are kept at Kyoto Ryuhonji. Also, mandalas from unidentified Nichiren Shu temples. Moreover, I think Honmon Butsuryushu {HBS} does it this way, at least on some examples I have seen. From what I can gather, outside of the Nikko Monryu, this seems to be the most common way it was done, and some in the Nikko Monryu do it this way as well. Basically, the Minister simply put his name & seal on his work, just like Nichiren did. There is no significance I see in the location of the signature on the mandala, Somewhere at the bottom, centered or shaded to the left, is common. We do not see Nichiren's kao or name on these at all.

4. The Kanji for "Namu Nichiren Daibosatsu" is written in a straight line below the Daimoku, with the transcribing Minister's name and seal below that. I have seen three like that. I know the name of the Temple where one of those was made, but not its location. There are many temples with the same name. These all appear to be from Nichiren Shu temples, but I an not certain.

An example of this appeared in on line auction. The description read, "Nichiren Mandala Scroll (November 1915, transcribed by 59th High Priest Nisshin at Mt. Komuro in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan). Bestowed upon Akiyama, Genbei." The name of the Temple was given as Yamanashi Myohoji.

5. Rarely we see Mandalas with Nichiren's name & seal at the bottom, as if he wrote it himself, but done by someone other than Nichiren. The transcriber's name & seal might be off to the left on some of these. I am guessing these could have been intended to be hand drawn duplicates of Nichiren originals. Others appear to lack the name & seal of the person who made it. Some of these might even be forgeries, once intended to be passed off as originals; I really do not know. The two sold by Kaiundo are like this, but they are NOT passed off as originals. The calligrapher perhaps wished to remain anonymous.

6. Variations: I have an image of a Nakayama Monryu that might have Nichiren's name at the bottom right facing {the mandala's left}, no seal; and the Transcriber's name & seal on the opposite side. It is hard to see. I have seen others with the transcriber's name below Nichiren's; but no 'zaigohan' or 'gohan.'

I have hot linked images to this entry. If anyone has information on these styles, or other styles of reproducing Nichiren style Mandala Gohonzons, please feel free to share.

Posted in Robin Beck on November 5, 2007 02:04 AM

Posted by rbeck at December 5, 2007 02:04 AM