Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai)

Kūkai (空海), known after death by the title Kōbō Daishi, Great Teacher who Spread the Dharma, is the most celebrated figure in Japanese Buddhism. He brought esoteric Buddhism from China, founded the Shingon school, built the monastery on Mount Kōya and was one of the three great calligraphers of his age. Popular faith holds that he did not die, but remains in eternal meditation at Okunoin on Mount Kōya.

Japanese 空海, Kūkai; 弘法大師, Kōbō Daishi; O-Daishi-sama
Lived 774 to 835
Founded Shingon; Kongōbuji on Mount Kōya; Tōji as a Shingon centre in Kyoto
Recognise by A seated monk on a chair, a five-pronged vajra in the right hand at the chest, a rosary in the left

Life

Born in Shikoku, Kūkai abandoned the court academy to practise as a wandering ascetic, and gained his famous memory through the rite of Kokūzō. In 804 he sailed to China, where the master Huiguo transmitted the full esoteric teaching to him within months. He returned with sutras, mandalas and ritual implements, founded Shingon, and was given Tōji in Kyoto and permission to build on Mount Kōya. His legends cover the whole of Japan: springs he struck from the ground, bridges, reservoirs and a phonetic syllabary he was said to have invented.

The portrait

Kūkai's standard portrait shows him seated on a chair with his shoes beneath, holding a five-pronged vajra before his chest in the right hand and a rosary in the left. This image hangs in Shingon temples and households throughout Japan, painted and sculpted. A walking form in pilgrim's dress, with hat and staff, accompanies pilgrims on the Shikoku circuit.

Collecting notes

  • Portraits of Kōbō Daishi are among the most common Buddhist paintings in Japan, from fine Kamakura works to Edo devotional scrolls. Look at the face, the gold of the vajra and the mounting.
  • Pilgrimage objects connected with him, such as stamp books and scrolls, are collected in their own right.

In the collection

Search the collection for Kōbō Daishi or browse esoteric Buddhist art. Our collector concierge can search Japan for a portrait.

See also

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