Suiten kyo (Sutra of Varuna, Deity of the Waters) / Artist Unknown, Japan
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1964/2.104
- Title
- Suiten kyo (Sutra of Varuna, Deity of the Waters)
- Artist
- Artist Unknown, Japan
- Artist Nationality
- Japanese
- Medium and Support
- handscroll, ink and color on paper
- Object Creation Date
- circa 1300-1335
- Object Creation Place
- Asia (continent)
- Japan (nation)
- Creation Place 1
- Asia (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- Japan (nation)
- Style/Group/Movement
- Buddhist
- Inscription
- Suiten line 6 vam pra line 7 vam Myoken line 2 a Shingon (lines 13-14) (13) Mu ti te tu su stu a tya mi sta u tu stu ku ki stu bha ru te stu (14) ya vi nya stu u tu stu ku ra ra te stu ki stu ma ta svaha.
- Dimensions
- 28.6 cm x 206.1 cm (11 1/4 in. x 81 1/8 in.)
- Century
- 14th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Painting
- Primary Object Type
- hand scroll
- Secondary Object Classification
- Painting
- Secondary Object Type
- sutra/calligraphy
- Physical Description
- This is a long horizontal scroll with several calligraphic inscriptions on the right portion of the paper. On the left are 3 figural scenes. The one closest to the writing shows a male figure wearing a large headdress seated in the lotus position within a circle. Next there is a figure with four arms who stands on the back of a dragon. Two people stand on either side- one a short blue-skinned man who holds a bowl and the other a smaller figure who holds a brush and paper. The third scene shows a male figure, seated in the lotus position, who holds a sword, a wheel, a brush and paper in his four hands.
- Subject Matter
- In esoteric Buddhism and other Buddhist sects, chanting sutras is an important part of spiritual practice. The central deity depicted in this sutra is Suiten, the god of waters known in Hindu as Varuna. In Japan, Suiten was associated not only with the sea, but also with fishermen and a variety of mythical water creatures, including dragons and snakes. Here, Suiten is astride a giant water dragon. The fierce deity on the far left clasps a wheel of dharma (associated with the law but also with the concept of fate) and a sword for vanquishing evil. He also holds a brush and scroll, characteristic of Komokuten, one of the Mantra Kings in esoteric Buddhism, known for their wisdom and responsibility. Komokuten represents limitless vision and is commonly depicted with nagas, or serpents like the ones writhing outwards from his hair.
- Primary Keywords
- buddhism
- calligraphy
- deity
- dragon
- dragons
- figures
- figures (representations)
- handscroll
- handscrolls
- japan
- japan (nation)
- Secondary Keywords
- allegory and literature
- animals and creatures
- asia
- asia (continent)
- asian
- creatures
- descriptors
- forms
- genres
- geographic and political locations
- image-making processes and techniques
- legendary creatures
- locality
- making art
- mythology
- objects we use
- paintings
- paintings by form
- people
- people (agents)
- people and culture
- people and occupations
- people by state or condition
- processes and techniques
- processes and techniques by specific type
- religion
- religions
- scroll paintings
- visual works
- visual works by medium or technique
- visual works by subject type
- writing (processes)
- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 6378 x 947
- File Size
- 724 KB
- Record
- 1964/2.104
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1964-sl-2.104/1964_2.104.jpg
Rights and Permissions
Related Links
Portfolios
IIIF
- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1964-SL-2.104:1964_2.104.JPG
Cite this Item
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- Full citation
-
"Suiten kyo (Sutra of Varuna, Deity of the Waters); Artist Unknown, Japan." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1964-sl-2.104/1964_2.104.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 16, 2024.
