National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

The Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva Kannon (J. Senju Kannon; Skt. Sahasrabhuja-avalokiteśvara) is one of many forms Kannon is able to appear in, although the manifestation is more accurately called the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Kannon. The great number of arms and eyes is meant to express the vastness of Kannon’s compassion. This work is famous as one of few Buddhist paintings to have been deposited in a wooden statue. The wooden statue that accompanies it is missing some parts, but presumably depicts the Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva Kannon (J. Jūichimen Kannon; Skt. Ekādaśamukha-avalokiteśvara). It was likely made at the end of the Heian period (794–1185). The painting seems to have been made somewhat earlier. Though relatively small, the painting is made in a grand style with a decorative pedestal and canopy. Its palette primarily relies on the contrast of red and green. Different pigments are combined with cut pieces of gold and silver leaf in delicate arrangements to create a relaxed composition uncluttered by elaborate detail. Many of the bodhisattva’s arms are rendered in the form of a circle, appearing as if they are part of the mandorla, perhaps in an intentional choice on the part of the artist to reduce the strangeness of the figure’s appearance. The types of attributes held in each hand are based on esoteric Buddhist scriptures. Underdrawings were made of the weapons, but most seem to have been omitted when pigment was added. Further, the bowl held in front of Kannon’s waist has been rendered like a lacquer bowl. This and other elements suggest the painting was made in a style suitable for personal worship.