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Womb World Mandala (Taizōkai Mandara)

Muromachi period(1392–1568)

Not on view

This mandala is from a pair (see its mate) in which the deities are represented as the Sanskrit seed syllables (shuji) with which they are associated. The syllable at the center of the Womb World Mandala (Taizōkai mandara) identifies Dainichi as he performs the meditation mudra (jō-in). It may be contrasted with the large seed syllable in the "One Seal Assembly" (ichiine) at the top center of the Diamond World Mandala (Kongōkai mandara), which is associated with Dainichi when he performs the knowledge-fist mudra (chiken-in).

Womb World Mandala (Taizōkai Mandara), One of a pair of hanging scrolls; gold on indigo-dyed paper, Japan — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Womb World Mandala (Taizōkai Mandara)

Period: Muromachi period(1392–1568)

Culture: Japan

Medium: One of a pair of hanging scrolls; gold on indigo-dyed paper

Dimensions: Overall with mounting: 48 1/2 x 25 in. (123.2 x 63.5 cm)

Classification: Paintings

Credit Line: Lent by Sylvan Barnet and William Burto Collection

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.