Kongō-kai Mandara
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Object Label
The mandala (or mandara in Japanese) is a diagrammatic tool used by Buddhists to guide their meditation and prayer. Most mandalas direct the viewer to travel mentally on a prescribed path, stopping to contemplate and address each figure depicted. In this early Diamond World (Kongō-kai) mandala, the primary deity, Dainichi Buddha, is in the top section; in most other mandalas the primary deity appears at the center. The mate to this painting is displayed in the Arts of Japan gallery, on this floor.
Caption
Kongō-kai Mandara, 14th century. Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on silk, overall: 84 × 47 3/8 in. (213.4 × 120.3 cm) image: 46 9/16 × 38 13/16 in. (118.3 × 98.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 21.240.1. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Kongō-kai Mandara
Date
14th century
Period
Nanbokucho Period
Geography
Place made: Japan
Medium
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on silk
Classification
Dimensions
overall: 84 × 47 3/8 in. (213.4 × 120.3 cm) image: 46 9/16 × 38 13/16 in. (118.3 × 98.6 cm)
Credit Line
Museum Collection Fund
Accession Number
21.240.1
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