An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Mandala of the Three Shrines at Kumano1300s
This painting depicts the three shrines of Kumano from a bird’s-eye perspective, with the Buddhist counterparts of the <em>kami </em>of each shrine hall shown in discs directly above the halls. It also features figures, both pilgrims and deities, along the pilgrimage route and at the shrines. It is the only surviving work illustrating architectural representations of all three shrines in the same painting. They are compressed into a stacked composition, with the Nachi shrine at the top, the Shingū in the middle, and the Hongū at the bottom.
The sacred waterfall at the top right of the painting is called Nachi.
hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Image: 134 x 62 cm (52 3/4 x 24 7/16 in.); Overall: 217.2 x 80 cm (85 1/2 x 31 1/2 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the serene embrace of nature, there lies a painting that whispers secrets of faith and devotion. From a vantage point high above, we see the three sacred shrines of Kumano, their roofs glistening among a tapestry of rich greens and deep blues. Each shrine is adorned with the essence of its own spirit, the <em>kami</em>, delicately rendered in luminous discs that float gently above, watching over their earthly homes.
As our eyes wander through this ethereal landscape, we encounter a journey—one not just of the body, but of the soul. Pilgrims trace the winding path, their forms small yet mighty, as they traverse this sacred route, each step echoing the centuries of devotion that have brought them here. Surrounding them, the presence of deities adds a mystical depth, as if time itself has paused to honor their pilgrimage.
This artwork is a rare gem, the only one that captures, all at once, the architectural splendor of each of the three shrines—the Nachi, the Shingū, and the Hongū—each compressed into harmonious layers. At the summit, the towering Nachi shrine rises, a beacon of spirituality, followed by the central Shingū, a grounding presence amidst the divine. The Hongū nestles gracefully at the base, a steadfast testament of endurance and reverence.
In this painting, one can feel the pulse of history, the heartbeat of faith, and the quiet whispers of the sacred path that connects them all—three shrines, countless stories, and the undying spirit of those who journey to find solace in their presence.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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