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

Both the icon and the techniques of this painting follow the other portraits of Monjyu Bosatsu (Manjushri Bodhisattva) produced around the Song period. The gradation of sumi is used for the light around the head, exquisitely expressing the presence of light. This expression of light is the most important characteristic of Buddhist paintings in the suiboku (water-and-sumi) style. The hair of Monju and the shishi (lion) is smooth and elegant. Fine lines of gold paint are added to the objects Monju holds, his robe, and the hair of the shishi. The tone of these gold colors are restrained so as not to harm the tone of the entire picture, a notable characteristic that shows a similarity to southern Song paintings. The signature-seal reads "Reisai hitsu" (by Reisai) at the right bottom of the shishi.
Reisai is a painter who was active around the middle fifteenth century. He created his original style in the genre of suiboku portraits related to Buddhism and Daoism, with his distinctive lines of drapery folds in garments and subtle gradations of pale sumi. Ryūkou Shinkei was a Zen monk of the Musou School of the Rinzai sect.