Illustrated sutra of past and present karma Illustrated sutra of past and present karma [1/11]

An illustrated sutra scroll of episodes from the life of the Shaka (Sakyamuni). Having attained Buddhahood, the Shaka acquires a series of disciples, including the three Kansho brothers and brahmins outside the faith.

The Sutra of past and present karma tells the life of the Shaka (Sakyamuni) from the karma of his previous life until he attains enlightenment and makes Daikasho (Mahakaśyapa) his disciple. This scroll is the last of what was originally an eight-scroll set. The sutra itself is written in the lower section of the scroll, and illustrations corresponding to the narration fill the upper section. While this format differs somewhat from that of picture scrolls of later eras, similar examples have been discovered among Tang dynasty relics at Dun-huang in China. In fact, sources like the Shosoin documents indicate that copies of the illustrated Sutra of past and present karma were made in large numbers during the Nara period from an original brought from China. In the version shown here, the scribe has copied the sutra in an austere kaisho (standard) script on oma (jute) paper. The illustrations, on the other hand, are very primitive and naive in their depictions of the mountains, trees, and casually rendered human figures. Impressions of seals with the words “Mitsu-dera” and “Kofuku-denpo” at the beginning of the scroll indicate its provenance. Ernest Fenollosa and Okakura Tenshin made the decision to purchase this scroll when the Tokyo Fine Arts School was founded, and it was the first item to enter the University Art Museum collection. (Writer : Tamon Takase Source : Selected Masterpieces from The University Art Museum, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music: Grand Opening Exhibition, The University Art Museum, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, 1999)