A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto

late 14th century

Not on view

Women, men, and children of all social classes gather around a pavilion sheltering a large group of monks. They are there to watch the traveling monk Ippen (1239–1289) invoke Amida Buddha through a buoyant dance accompanied by rhythmic chanting and percussive music, a practice called odori nenbutsu. Their anticipation is evident as they wait for his incantatory dance to begin. This section originally formed part of a handscroll illustrating the Biography of the Monk Ippen and His Disciple Ta’a, which describes the works of Ippen, founder of the Ji sect of Pure Land Buddhism.

Artwork Details

一遍上人絵伝「遊行上人縁起絵」断簡
Title: A Nenbutsu Gathering at Ichiya, Kyoto
Period: Nanbokuchō period (1336–92)
Date: late 14th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Section of a handscroll mounted as a hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Image: 12 3/4 × 17 3/4 in. (32.4 × 45.1 cm)
Overall with mounting: 45 3/4 × 22 5/8 in. (116.2 × 57.5 cm)
Overall with knobs: 45 3/4 × 24 1/2 in. (116.2 × 62.2 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975
Object Number: 1975.268.35
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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