Otokoyama Hachiman Shrine Mandala

This painting depicts the main shrine building at Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine on the mountain, Otokoyama (in Kyoto Prefecture), and Buddhist manifestation of Shinto deities in the style of a mandala. In the upper tier of the painting is the Amida (Skt., Amitabha) triad, below which is a stone-paved walk flanked by Amida Buddha and the bodhisattva Seishi (Skt., Mahasthamaprapta) on the left and Eleven-headed Kannon (Skt., Avalokitesvara) and a bodhisattva (J., bosatsu) holding a scepter (J., nyoi) on the right. Elements of the secular world, such as worshippers and shrine attendants, as well as doves on the rooftop, have been inserted into this abstract-style painting. According to an inscription written during a later restoration of this work, Lord Kuga dedicated this painting to the shrine as its main object of worship.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.