Triad of the Medicine Master Buddha Yakushi (Bhaisajya Buddha)
This painting depicts a rare Japanese painted depiction of Yakushi (Sanskrit: Bhaisajyaguru), the Medicine Master Buddha, an iconography better known in Japan through sculpture. Commonly referred to as a Yakushi triad, the central Buddha is shown with two attendants: Nikkō (Suryaprabha), the bodhisattva of the sun (to the right), and Gakkō (Candraprabha), the bodhisattva of the moon (to the left). Here, Yakushi as the central figure of worship, is significantly larger than the bodhisattvas. He cradles a small medicine jar in one hand, while the other is raised in a rare form of the “Have no fear” (abhaya varada) mudra both of which identify him as the medicine Buddha. The bodhisattvas are ornately decorated and hold staffs with tips that cradle the sun and moon.
Although Yakushi is also known for Beryl radiance and frequently depicted with blue skin in India and Tibet in this painting his golden skin is a reflection of the Chinese standard and an example of the transmission of Buddhism from China to Japan through Korea. Introduced to Japan in the seventh century A.D, Yakushi still has relevance in death memorials, such as the ‘Thirteen Buddha’ memorial where Yakushi is the deity of the forty-ninth day after death.
Although Yakushi is also known for Beryl radiance and frequently depicted with blue skin in India and Tibet in this painting his golden skin is a reflection of the Chinese standard and an example of the transmission of Buddhism from China to Japan through Korea. Introduced to Japan in the seventh century A.D, Yakushi still has relevance in death memorials, such as the ‘Thirteen Buddha’ memorial where Yakushi is the deity of the forty-ninth day after death.
Artwork Details
- 薬師三尊
- Title: Triad of the Medicine Master Buddha Yakushi (Bhaisajya Buddha)
- Artist: Unidentified artist
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: 17th or 18th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink, color, metallic paint, and kirikane (cut gold) on silk
- Dimensions: Image: 40 × 19 in. (101.6 × 48.3 cm)
Overall with mounting: 68 × 23 7/8 in. (172.7 × 60.6 cm)
Overall with knobs: 68 × 26 in. (172.7 × 66 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Sue Cassidy Clark, in honor of Barbara Brennan Ford, 2021
- Object Number: 2021.396.3
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
18th–19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.