Illustrated Biography of Priest Ippen, Vol. 7

This illustrated scroll is one of a twelve-volume series depicting the life of Priest Ippen (1239-89), who founded the Ji sect of Buddhism in the Kamakura period (1192-1333). During his lifetime, Ippen journeyed to various parts of the country, leading large groups of the people he met along the way in ceremonies of Buddhist chants and dance. Through this, and by distributing leaflets printed with prayers, he encouraged the rise of Buddhism among the general populace. This biographical series was completed on August 23, 1299, the tenth anniversary of Ippen’s death, based upon writings by Shokai, presumed to be Ippen’s younger brother or nephew, and featuring illustrations by painter Hogen En’i. Originally consisting of 12 volumes, the illustrations of four chapters and the text of one chapter from the seventh volume were detached while in the collection of Kankikoji Temple in Kyoto during the Edo period (1603-1868). In the following Meiji period, they came into the possession of art collector Hara Sankei (1868-1939), and were ultimately acquired by the museum after World War II. A characteristic of the illustrations is their meticulous and realistic painting styles. Replete with gestures toward the changing seasons, the landscapes and scenes which the wandering priest would have encountered during his travels are brought vividly to life in this work. When the work was being repaired in 2003-2004, it was discovered that the back of the piece had been carefully painted to match the pigment on the surface and present an especially rich effect.