Karyōbinga

Karyōbinga (迦陵頻伽) is a bird of paradise with the head and arms of a celestial being and the body, wings and tail of a bird. Buddhist texts say its voice is the most beautiful in all the worlds, heard even from inside the egg, and compare it to the voice of the Buddha. It sings and plays music in the Pure Land of Amida.

Japanese 迦陵頻伽, Karyōbinga
Sanskrit Kalaviṅka
Rank Celestial being
Recognise by A crowned human head and torso on a bird's body, with long tail feathers, often playing an instrument

In Pure Land imagery

Paintings of the Pure Land show Karyōbinga by the jewelled lakes and terraces of paradise, beside peacocks, parrots and a two-headed bird, gumyōchō, sharing one body. Their song is said to teach the Dharma to all who hear it.

Chūsonji and temple ornaments

The Golden Hall of Chūsonji at Hiraizumi, of the early twelfth century, is hung with pierced gilt-bronze pendant ornaments, keman, on which pairs of Karyōbinga face each other among flowering scrolls. These are among the finest metalwork of the Heian period, and the motif recurs on ritual objects, textiles and lacquer.

The dance of the bird

In the court music and dance of gagaku, the piece Karyōbin is performed by children wearing wings and flower crowns, clapping small cymbals. It is staged at grand temple ceremonies.

Collecting notes

  • Karyōbinga appear on keman, temple banners, metal openwork and lacquer. Original Heian material is museum property; Edo and Meiji temple ornaments are more accessible.
  • Check gilt-bronze ornaments for losses to the delicate wing and tail tips.

In the collection

Browse altars and ritual objects and Buddhist paintings. Our collector concierge can search Japan for celestial ornaments.

See also

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