親鸞上人絵伝|The Illustrated Life of Shinran (Shinran shōnin eden)

The handscroll titled The Illustrated Life of Shinran, produced in 1707 as a set of four hanging scrolls, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is exhibited as a representative example of Edo‑period Buddhist painting. Its inclusion in a major Western museum has contributed to ongoing scholarly discussion of Shinran’s doctrinal impact and the visual transmission of Jodo‑Shinshu teachings. The work’s religious genre and depiction of architectural and narrative motifs underscore its role in the historical reception of Shinran’s life story.

This artwork, titled The Illustrated Life of Shinran (Shinran shōnin eden), comprises a set of four hanging scrolls. Executed with ink, color, and gold on silk, these paintings visually narrate significant episodes from the life of Shinran, a revered Japanese Buddhist priest. The series serves as a pictorial biography, offering insights into his spiritual journey and historical context through its detailed visual storytelling.

The scrolls meticulously chronicle the biography of Shinran, a pivotal figure in Japanese Buddhism. Beyond depicting his personal narrative, the artwork incorporates numerous figures and elements of everyday existence, such as various men engaged in daily activities. This inclusion of mundane details alongside the sacred narrative provides a broader glimpse into the social fabric and customs prevalent during the period it illustrates.