Illustrated Legends of the Origins of the Kumano Shrines

late 16th–early 17th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 227

This set of three handscrolls narrates a fantastical account of the Indian origins and ultimate enshrinement of three deities at Kumano, one of Japan’s most sacred locales. The story is told through a mix of text and image presented in a linear format, conveying progression through time and space. The first two scrolls depict the story of an unnamed consort—one among a thousand—of an Indian maharaja. She gives birth to the ruler’s only son but is immediately beheaded at the hands of the other 999 consorts, who are bitterly jealous. The maharaja, his consort, and the prince are eventually enshrined as the deities of Kumano, whose places of worship are introduced in the final scroll.

Illustrated Legends of the Origins of the Kumano Shrines, Set of three handscrolls; ink and color on paper, Japan — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

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scroll a, overall stitched image

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scroll b, stitched overall image

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scroll c, overall stitched image

熊野縁起絵巻

Title: Illustrated Legends of the Origins of the Kumano Shrines

Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)

Date: late 16th–early 17th century

Culture: Japan

Medium: Set of three handscrolls; ink and color on paper

Dimensions: Image (a): 9 1/2 in. × 33 ft. 5 5/8 in. (24.1 × 1020.2 cm)
Image (b): 9 1/2 in. × 20 ft. 2 5/16 in. (24.1 × 615.5 cm)
Image (c): 9 1/2 in. × 13 ft. 9 3/4 in. (24.1 × 421 cm)

Classification: Paintings

Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015

Accession Number: 2015.300.18a–c