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Descent of Eleven-Headed Kannon

mid–late 16th century
Not on view
Kannon is one of two bodhisattvas who flank the Buddha Amida on his descent to deliver the recently deceased faithful to his Pure Land, the Western Paradise. Here, Kannon in his eleven-headed form descends alone upon a bank of clouds to meet the believer. His right hand is open to bestow compassion and encircled by crystal prayer beads, while his left hand holds a lotus in a vase, representing the healing power of the Buddhist Law. The haloed topmost head is that of Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light. Kannon’s attendant relationship to Amida is made explicit by the standing figure on the crown and the rays of light that emanate in all directions from his golden form.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 十一面観音来迎図
  • Title: Descent of Eleven-Headed Kannon
  • Artist: Unidentified artist
  • Period: Muromachi period (1392–1573)
  • Date: mid–late 16th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
  • Dimensions: Image: 36 1/2 × 15 1/2 in. (92.7 × 39.4 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 70 × 22 7/16 in. (177.8 × 57 cm)
    Overall with knobs: 70 × 24 in. (177.8 × 61 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Mrs. J. Watson Webb, 1930
  • Object Number: 30.72.3
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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