Minneapolis Institute of Art

Parinirvana of Sakyamuni, the Historical Buddha

Hanabusa Itchō

Date

late 17th century

Medium

Hanging scroll, ink, color, and gold on paper

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This painting depicts the death of Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, in 438 BCE. The Indian prince-turned-sage is shown lying on his side, having delivered his final teachings. At the moment of his death, the Buddha was said to enter nirvana, a stage attained through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness. Around him are disciples in monks’ robes, a group of five bodhisattvas—beings that compassionately refrain from entering nirvana in order to save others—with golden-yellow skin, guardian deities, monks, laymen, and animal beings. All are shown expressing profound grief. The square “Kunju” relief seal dates this painting to a time before the artist, Itchō, was exiled to a small island in Izu province in 1699. Japan, Asia

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