{"product_id":"jusanbutsu-thirteen-buddhas-memorial-hanging-scroll-amida","title":"Jūsanbutsu Thirteen Buddhas Memorial Hanging Scroll, Amida in Gold Pigment on Black Silk, Late Edo–Meiji","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"jp-product\" data-world=\"Painted \u0026amp; Printed\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-lede\"\u003eThirteen sacred figures float on crimson clouds against an almost black ground, centered on a standing Buddha, most likely Amida Nyorai, in aged gold. Made for the successive rites of Japanese memorial practice, this Jūsanbutsu scroll has softened with time into an image that reveals itself only as the light moves across it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scroll presents what appears to be a Jūsanbutsu (十三仏図, Jūsanbutsu-zu), a Thirteen Buddhas assembly, painted in subdued gold-toned pigment on a near-black silk or silk-like ground. The Thirteen Buddhas are not thirteen versions of one Buddha but a memorial assembly of Buddhas, bodhisattvas and a Wisdom King, commonly Fudō Myōō, Shaka Nyorai, Monju Bosatsu, Fugen Bosatsu, Jizō Bosatsu, Miroku Bosatsu, Yakushi Nyorai, Kannon Bosatsu, Seishi Bosatsu, Amida Nyorai, Ashuku Nyorai, Dainichi Nyorai and Kokūzō Bosatsu. Each became associated with a stage of memorial practice, from the first observances after death through later anniversary services, and the grouping, which developed in medieval Japan, allowed one image to serve repeatedly through successive ceremonies for the deceased.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe largest figure stands at center in a long monastic robe, one hand raised in a refined circular gesture formed by the fingers; posture and mudra strongly suggest Amida Nyorai, Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life. He emerges softly from the dark field, calm and nearly weightless, while twelve further figures appear above, beside and below him. Some wear the simple robes of Buddhas or monastics; others are ornamented as bodhisattvas with crowns, jewelry, scarves and elaborate garments, and several carry attributes that may include a staff, vessel, jewel, lotus, sword or ritual implement. All float on layered dark-red clouds over the vast black ground, and their number and tiered arrangement strongly support the Thirteen Buddhas reading, though assigning every figure individually would require in-hand comparison with a complete iconographic reference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe power of the scroll lies in its restrained palette. Gold figures against black, with muted reddish-brown clouds, would once have seemed to glow by candle or lamplight; age has reduced that brilliance into an almost archaeological atmosphere in which the gold flickers rather than shines, some figures clear and others dissolving into shadow. Under stronger or angled light, halos, robes, implements, jewelry, clouds and delicate facial details return to view. The figures are drawn in fine line and filled or highlighted with metallic pigment, suggesting careful devotional workmanship rather than rapid commercial decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting is preserved as a formal hanging scroll: an outer mounting of olive-green brocade with a subdued repeating floral or geometric pattern, a gold-toned inner field accented by a narrow turquoise line, and dark and gold-patterned bands above and below the image. Hanging cords, textile straps, upper fittings, roller bar and decorative end caps remain present. The mounting may be later than the painting, as antique paintings were often remounted when their textiles became unstable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"jp-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Anonymous; no clearly legible signature or seal visible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Estimated late Edo to Meiji period, possibly 19th century; later mounting or restoration possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-toned metallic or mineral pigment with dark red-brown color on a black silk or silk-like ground\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black ground, aged gold, dark red-brown; olive, bronze and turquoise mounting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thirteen Buddhas memorial assembly (十三仏図, Jūsanbutsu-zu), likely centered on Amida Nyorai\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vertical kakejiku or kakemono hanging scroll\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Olive-green patterned brocade, gold-toned inner fabric, narrow turquoise edging, hanging cords and straps, roller with capped ends\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Scroll only; no storage box shown or included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn antique devotional painting with substantial, clearly visible age-related condition issues; fragile and unrestored unless otherwise documented. The full sacred composition remains visible, and the piece is not suited to anyone seeking a bright or newly restored scroll.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtensive horizontal creasing and fold lines across the composition, with widespread cracking, abrasion, fading, darkening and loss of metallic pigment; several figures have partially obscured details and some areas are considerably weaker than others.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSurface wear and scattered pigment loss; vertical and horizontal stress lines; small areas of flaking or missing material; darkening and possible oxidation of the ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScattered spots, marks, stains and surface deposits; possible old moisture exposure or uneven discoloration; areas where the support appears thin, brittle or stressed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistortion and waviness from long-term rolling or storage, wear along the textile borders and mounting transitions, general age discoloration, and possible historic repairs, remounting or reinforcement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe painting is exceptionally dark, and its gold details become more or less visible depending on illumination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHandling Guidance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandle only with clean, dry hands and avoid touching the painted surface. Roll slowly and evenly around the lower roller without pulling tightly, so the painting does not buckle or crease. No cleaning, flattening, gluing, ironing or home restoration should be attempted; for important or extended display, consult a conservator of Japanese paintings or Asian textiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep away from direct sunlight, strong artificial light, heaters and dry heating vents, air-conditioning outlets, smoke and kitchen vapors, bathrooms, damp walls and rapidly changing humidity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid long-term permanent display, and keep out of reach of pets and young children.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered as an antique Japanese devotional scroll on the basis of its construction, materials, subject and visible age; no third-party certificate accompanies it. The metallic pigment is called gold-toned here, since gold leaf, powdered gold or a brass-based medium cannot be distinguished from photographs, and the late Edo to Meiji dating is an informed visual assessment rather than a certified attribution; pigment analysis, documentation or a signed box would be needed to confirm age. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery from Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacked by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our \u003ca href=\"\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003epublished policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-closing\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/japonista-layaway-privilege-program\"\u003eLayaway Privilege™\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinue browsing: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/japanese-scrolls-traditional-paintings\"\u003eScrolls \u0026amp; Paintings\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/butsudan-japanese-altars-religious-objects\"\u003eButsudan \u0026amp; Altars\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-related\"\u003eRelated pieces: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/soga-shohaku-style-celestial-dragon-hanging-scroll-sumi-ink\"\u003eSoga Shōhaku-style celestial dragon ink scroll\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kannon-bosatsu-heart-sutra-calligraphy-gold-toned-linework\"\u003eGold Kannon and Heart Sutra scroll on black\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/products\/buddhist-assembly-hanging-scroll-bodhisattvas-guardians\"\u003eWoodblock-style Buddhist assembly scroll with box\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-cta\" data-world=\"Painted \u0026amp; Printed\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-cta-eyebrow\"\u003ePaper \u0026amp; Silk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScrolls, screens and prints can be examined, documented and conserved before shipping through the Restoration \u0026amp; Documentation Lab™. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/japan-art-restoration-condition-reports-japonista\"\u003eRequest a condition report →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-search\"\u003eCollectors also search: thirteen buddhas scroll · jusanbutsu kakejiku · jusanbutsu-zu hanging scroll · japanese buddhist memorial scroll · gold on black buddhist scroll · amida thirteen buddhas painting · antique japanese buddhist scroll edo meiji\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Japonista","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52767108989221,"sku":"SC 08","price":7254.55,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/8829\/6229\/files\/sc08_1of34.jpg?v=1784022052","url":"https:\/\/japonista.com\/products\/jusanbutsu-thirteen-buddhas-memorial-hanging-scroll-amida","provider":"Japonista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}