Hoke-kyo (Lotus sutra), Hosshikudoku Chapter
Heian period, 12th century
Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo, Japan
Gold and silver leaf pieces are spread over gradated madder red paper. Ruled lines are represented by gold leaf strings while the upper and lower parts of the paper are decorated with gold and silver leaf and powder, over which a flower arabesque pattern is printed. On this lavishly decorated, gorgeous paper, "Lotus Sutra Chapter 19: Blessings of Teachers of the Law" is transcribed with skillful brushwork. It is written with sumi in different shades in Yukinari-like Japanese semi-cursive style, suggesting that this was written by an outstanding calligrapher. While Kunojikyo and Heikenokyo sutras are famous as examples of Ippongyo (a sutra transcribed in such a way that one person copies one volume of the sutra), it can be said that this scroll also constitutes a typical example of Ippongyo. Even the different levels of oxidation on the gold and silver powder and silver leaf pieces add an artistic touch to the paper. This was formerly possessed by Daiunin Temple in Tottori.
- Title: Hoke-kyo (Lotus sutra), Hosshikudoku Chapter
- Date Created: Heian period, 12th century
- Physical Dimensions: w3300 x h250 mm
- Object Title: 法華経法師功徳品 第十九
- Object Notes(Japanese): 法華経は妙法蓮華経、妙法華経ともいい８巻28品からなる。わが国の仏教では、聖徳太子が『法華義疏』を著わし、最澄が本経に基づいた天台宗をひろめて以来、「法華経」は日本仏教の根幹を形成し、とくに日蓮によって日蓮宗が開かれて、「法華経」は諸経の王として信仰されるに至った。 本経は、法華経28品を１巻１品ずつ計28巻に書写した一品経（いっぽんぎょう）のうち法師功徳品第19を巧みな筆致で書写した１巻である。あかね色の隈（くま）ぼかしをほどこした料紙に、金・銀の切箔・芒（のげ）を散らしている。界は金の截金（きりかね）・天地には金・銀の切箔・砂子を散らし、小花唐草文を摺り出すなど、さまざまな装飾の限りを尽くした華麗なものであり、当時の能書の手にかかるものと考えられる。いわゆる「一品経」の遺品としては「久能寺経」や「平家納経」などが知られているが、本巻もまた、代表的なものといえる鳥取の大雲院に伝来した経巻である。
- Object Date: 平安時代・12世紀
- Medium(Japanese): 彩箋墨書
- Type: Calligraphy
- External Link: http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100380
- Medium: Ink on decorated paper
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