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Artwork

一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」 断簡|A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto, from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta'a (Yugyō Shōnin engi-e)

一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」 断簡|A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto, from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta'a (Yugyō Shōnin engi-e), ink, 1385
一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」 断簡|A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto, from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta'a (Yugyō Shōnin engi-e), ink, 1385

一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」 断簡|A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto, from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta'a (Yugyō Shōnin engi-e) is an ink painting. It dates from 1385 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The imagery illustrates a specific religious event where men and women assemble, reflecting the communal nature of the Pure Land Buddhist movement led by Ippen.

The work depicts a gathering centered on the practice of Nenbutsu in Kyoto, featuring the monk Ippen and his disciple Ta'a. The imagery illustrates a specific religious event where men and women assemble, reflecting the communal nature of the Pure Land Buddhist movement led by Ippen. As a section from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen, the fragment serves as a visual record of the monk's missionary activities and the devotion of his followers during the late 14th century.

The scene captures the essence of the pilgrimage and preaching tours that defined Ippen's life, emphasizing the accessibility of his teachings to the general populace.

Technique & Style

The work is a section of a handscroll remounted as a hanging scroll, executed in ink and color on paper. Its composition is organized in a continuous, horizontal format typical of narrative handscrolls, with fine, controlled brushwork employed for both figures and architectural elements.

Stylistically, the painting belongs to the late Kamakura–early Muromachi period, characterized by delicate linework and subtle gradations of color. The figures are rendered with attenuated proportions and serene expressions, while the architectural settings employ a flat, decorative approach rather than strict linear perspective. The palette is restrained, relying on muted tones with occasional brighter accents to highlight key details.

History & Provenance

The illustrated biography of the monk Ippen and his disciple Ta’a was produced in Japan in 1385, as indicated by the work’s dated colophon. The surviving section, depicting a Nenbutsu gathering at Ichiya in Kyoto, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains today. The painting is an anonymous Kamakura-period handscroll fragment remounted as a hanging scroll, executed in ink and color on paper.

Overview

This artwork, titled "A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto," is a fragment from a larger illustrated biography of the monk Ippen and his disciple Ta'a. Originally part of an extensive handscroll, this section is now presented as a hanging scroll. Executed in ink and color on paper, it depicts a nocturnal scene, offering a glimpse into the religious practices of its era.

太閤五妻洛東遊観之図|A View of the Pleasures of the Taiko and His Five Wives at Rakutō
太閤五妻洛東遊観之図|A View of the Pleasures of the Taiko and His Five Wives at Rakutō, Kitagawa Utamaro

Artist & collection

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I see 一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」 断簡|A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto, from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta'a (Yugyō Shōnin engi-e)?

一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」 断簡|A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto, from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta'a (Yugyō Shōnin engi-e) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」 断簡|A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto, from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta'a (Yugyō Shōnin engi-e)?

一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」 断簡|A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto, from the Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta'a (Yugyō Shōnin engi-e) is associated with Joseon dynasty painting.