Scroll "Kakemono"  Death of the historical Buddah (Nehan-zu) (Entry into the nirvana)

Buddha's entry into Nirvana, Buddha's death, is one of the four main iconographies in the representation of the historical Buddha, who died circa 370 BC eighty-year-old. The detailed description of this event dates back to Chinese iconography, which was copied in Japan from the 11th century onwards. Hindu deities, Bodhisattvas, his disciples, as well as all creatures mourn the dying Buddha. Even his mother Maya - and this is a Japanese peculiarity in iconography - comes from heaven to the earth to lament her son. At the side, the most important stations from Buddha's life are depicted in two picture strips.
Almost every temple had a representation of this last scene from the life of Buddha, which was hung up on the memorial day, the 15th of the second month.