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Recommended exhibition: “Kukai’s World: The Arts Of Esoteric Buddhism” Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan

  • Aug 5, 2011
  • 2 min read

Friday, Aug. 5, 2011

TOKYO

“Kukai’s World: The Arts Of Esoteric Buddhism”

Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan

By MIKE HAMILTON

Standing Jikokuten (of the Four Heavenly Kings), (Heian Period, dated 839) TOJI, KYOTO

The Japanese Buddhist monk Kukai, commonly known as Kobo Daishi, traveled across China in the early 800s as an envoy to study esoteric Buddhism. After bringing the fruits of his learnings back to Japan, he later helped found Shingon as the main form of Buddhism in the country.

The early period of Shingonism heavily emphasized the arts as a means to spread the often difficult teachings of Buddhism. This practice manifested itself in ritual articles, statues, headpieces and mandalas, many of which are on display in this show along with scripts written by Kukai himself and other objects from the Tang Dynasty in China (618-906).

This exhibit showcases 99 pieces from the early Shingon period in Japan, the majority of which have been designated National Treasures by the Japanese government. It is a rare exhibition that was made possible through the participation of the Jingoji, Toji and numerous other temples in Kyoto where many of the works are usually kept; till Sept. 25.

Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan; (03) 5777-8600; 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku; 10-min walk from Ueno Station, JR lines. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Fri.. till 8 p.m., Sat. & Sun., till 6 p.m.). ¥1,500. Closed Mon. www.tnm.jp.

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Read more about Kukai and his life at:

Guide to Kukai’s Pilgrimage of Shikoku, How to make the pilgrimage via the 88 Buddhist temples designated as the Sacred Places of Shikoku, following the trail Kobo Daishi (Kukai) walked in his youth for ascetic practice. More recommended guidebooks here.

SHUSO-GOUTAN-E or The Aoba Festival | Koyasan Shingon Buddhism This festival commemorates the birthday of Kukai (Kobo Daishi) followed by a procession.

延岡大師祭　Nobeoka-daishi-matsuri　Nobeoka Daishi FestivalThe largest statue of Kobo Daishi in Japan, called “Odai’ssan,” is at the top of Mt Imayama. Kobo Daishi has been respected by the people in Nobeoka as well as by the people all over the country during the Nobeoka Daishi Festival which is held in April every year in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It is the biggest spring event in the northern part of the prefecture and counted as one of the three largest spring festivals in Kyushu. The festival is held for three days around March 21 on Lunar Calendar to commemorate the anniversary of his death but the most popular event is the daimyo procession at the end of the festival.

Kukai Kobodaishi.com website in Japanese

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