大般若経（中尊寺経）|Great Wisdom Sutra (Daihannya-kyō), from the Chūsonji Temple Sutra Collection (Chūsonji-kyō)

Created in 1175, this religious artwork from the Chūsonji Temple Sutra Collection utilizes a handscroll format. The piece is executed on indigo-dyed paper, serving as a dark support for the application of gold and silver pigments. This specific combination of precious metals against a deep blue background defines its formal aesthetic, creating a luminous contrast characteristic of Heian-period Buddhist sutras.

The surviving dimensions of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's holding measure approximately 25.4 cm in height by 18.1 cm in width. While the specific artist remains anonymous, the technical execution highlights the ritual significance of the text through the use of costly materials. The work depicts figures central to Buddhism, including Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, rendered within this distinctive metallic and dyed-paper medium.

The Great Wisdom Sutra (Daihannya-kyō) from the Chūsonji Temple Sutra Collection was created in Japan in 1175. Although the specific commissioner is not identified in the available records, the work is attributed to an anonymous painter. This handscroll, executed in gold and silver on indigo-dyed paper, represents a significant example of 12th-century Japanese religious art.

The piece is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which lists its dimensions as 25.4 cm in height and 18.1 cm in width. The work's creation date of 1175 places it firmly in the late Heian period, a time of flourishing Buddhist manuscript production in the region. Its provenance traces from its original creation in Japan to its current status as a major item in a Western museum's holdings, though the specific intermediate ownership chain prior to its acquisition by the museum is not detailed in the provided sources.

This handscroll, titled the Great Wisdom Sutra (Daihannya-kyō), is part of the Chūsonji Temple Sutra Collection. Created in 1175, it features Buddhist scripture rendered in gold and silver ink on indigo-dyed paper. The scroll is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of its era, combining delicate visual artistry with sacred text.

Its considerable length and precious materials underscore its significance as both a religious artifact and an artistic achievement.