Treasures of JapanA catalogue of Japan's designated cultural properties
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Important Cultural Property

Volumes 2 and 4 of the Golden Light Sutra (One of the Eyeless Sutras)

金光明経 巻第二・第四（目無経）
Volumes 2 and 4 of the Golden Light Sutra (One of the Eyeless Sutras) (金光明経 巻第二・第四（目無経）)
PLATE IImage: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Calligraphy & Book · Heian period, 12th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Date
1101–1200
Location
Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID
cobas-57928

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The retired emperor Goshirakawa (1127–1192) originally commissioned this work as a picture scroll. However, he died before it was completed. A Buddhist writing, or sutra, was then written over the images to pray for his salvation in the afterlife. Many of the figures were left unfinished and lack eyes, so this work is called the [Eyeless Sutra].

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

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Volumes 2 and 4 of the Golden Light Sutra (One of the Eyeless Sutras)（金光明経 巻第二・第四（目無経））.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-57928. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/volumes-2-and-4-of-the-golden-light-sutra-one-of-the-eyeless-sutras/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Genre: Calligraphy
  • Material: Ink on paper
  • Category: Calligraphy:Category:Books:Buddhist texts
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • 員数: 1巻
  • 分類: 書跡
  • 種別: 書跡:分類:典籍:仏典
  • 品質形状: 紙本白描墨書

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