"Buddhist Art of the Tendai School" at the Kyoto National Museum
"Buddhist Art of the Tendai School" at the Kyoto National Museum
It's been a long time!
I recently visited a special exhibition "Buddhist Art of the Tendai School" at the Kyoto National Museum.
Special Exhibition Commemorating the 1200th Anniversary of Saichō's DeathBuddhist Art of the Tendai School - Kyoto National Museum
https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/exhibitions/special/saicho_2022/
I was very much looking forward to this exhibition from last year and was glad to see it.
Meiji Kotokan Hall (Normally closed to museum visitors)
It was a beautiful day.
Kyoto Tower and Heisei Chishinkan Wing (The building on the right is the venue for this exhibition.)
Kyoto was as hot as midsummer even though the season was still early summer.
This exhibition was held in Tokyo, Dazaifu, and Kyoto. At the Kyoto venue, many of the exhibits seemed to focus on the monks 円仁様 (Ennin-sama) and 円珍様 (Enchin-sama).
Reproduction of the Inner Sanctuary of the National Treasure Konpon Chudo at Hieizan
宝満山 (Houmanzan) in 太宰府 (Dazaifu), the setting of 東風 (KOCHI), is a mountain associated with the Tendai school of Buddhism.
It is said that 最澄様 (Saicho-sama), the founder of the Tendai school of Buddhism, prayed for safety on his voyage to 唐 (Tou) at Houmanzan in 803 CE.
In 847 CE, 円仁様 (Ennin-sama) returned from 唐 (Tou) and read sutras at Houmanzan.
円珍様 (Enchin-sama) also entered Houmanzan in 852 CE.
竈門神社 - Wikipedia
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AB%88%E9%96%80%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE
空海様 (Kukai-sama) is also said to have visited Houmanzan. (He was of the Shingon school, not the Tendai school).
The main year in 東風's story is 901 CE.
In studying the history of Houmanzan, I have always had a strong interest in the fact that one of Japan's leading high priests visited Houmanzan during the period immediately preceding the story of 東風.
This exhibition was truly a learning experience for me.
It was especially nice to see the calligraphy of 円仁様 (Ennin-sama) and 円珍様 (Enchin-sama). I really enjoyed being able to imagine the atmosphere of the two of them from their written characters.
After viewing the special exhibition, I bought some souvenirs at the museum store. Of the many merchandises, I chose these three.
Exhibition Catalogue
Reusable Bag depicting 如意輪観音様 (Nyoirin-Kannon-sama)
File Folder with トラりん (Torarin)
Profile - 京都国立博物館公式キャラクター トラりん
https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/jp/torarin/profile_eng/
I had a very good time:-)
Youkou
