天部諸尊図像抄|Scroll 9 of Collected Iconography (Zuzōshō): Ten (Devas)

The handscroll, dated 1249, known as Scroll 9 of the Collected Iconography (Zuzōshō), depicting the Ten Devas, is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its presence in a major institution has contributed to ongoing scholarly attention to early Japanese Buddhist painting and has made it a reference point for studies of medieval Japanese religious art and the depiction of celestial beings within the Buddhist pantheon.

The Collected Iconography (Zuzōshō): Ten (Devas) is the ninth scroll in a series, rendered in ink and color on paper. This handscroll presents a compilation of individual studies depicting various Buddhist deities. Each figure is rendered distinctly, isolated within the scroll's expanse, serving as a visual record of sacred forms.

The scroll's primary focus is the precise depiction of Buddhist deities, known as Devas. These figures are presented with specific attributes, including their distinct robes and symbolic hand gestures, or mudras. Such details were essential for conveying the correct identity and spiritual significance of each divine being within Buddhist art.

This handscroll functioned as a practical reference for artists engaged in creating Buddhist imagery. It provided essential guidelines for accurately portraying deities, detailing their specific iconography. Such a resource ensured consistency and correctness in religious art, acting as a visual manual for practitioners.