Descent of Maitreya

The Miroku (Maitreya) is a Bosatsu (Boddhisattva) who has been promised future Buddhahood and who presently dwells in Tosotsu-ten (Tusita) Heaven. This work depicts the Miroku accompanied by celestial maidens welcoming a deceased devotee.

Placed in charge of the future by the Shaka Nyorai (Tathagata), the Miroku (Maitreya) is a Bosatsu (Boddhisattva) who has been promised the attainment of Nirvana. It is said the Miroku presently dwells in Tosotsu-ten (Tusita) Heaven and will descend to earth 5.67 billion years in the future. The worship of the Miroku, in which believers seek to be reborn in Tosotsu-Ten, dates back to ancient times but became particularly popular in the Buddhist school of Nara during the late Heian period. The work shown here is believed to have been produced under such circumstances. The Miroku, flying down from beyond the mountains surrounded by eighteen celestial maidens, is coming to welcome the deceased, a priest-like figure in the bottom right corner who sits on a rock and holds a sutra scroll in his hand. In an arrangement that is unique to this version in the University Art Museum collection, the priest is being protected by two Nyorai. Amid the mountains in the background, the artist has depicted Kobo Daishi (Kukai), holding a five-pronged vajra pounder, and the Fudo Myo-o (Acalanatha) with his two child attendants. The inclusion of these two motifs that are unrelated to main theme indicates that this work belongs to the Nara Shingon sect. Gold paint and cut gold leaf have been used to render minute designs on the crowns and garments of the Miroku and celestial maidens, adding further to the splendor of the scene. (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)