Kasuga Gongen Genki E (春日権現験記絵) is a set of painted handscrolls (emakimono) that was produced during the early 14th Century (Kamakura period) of Japan, by members of the Fujiwara clan. The work was created in order to honor the deities of Kasuga, with the stories revolving around the Kasuga shrine and Kōfukuji temple, located in Nara. The colourful silk work was made with silver and gold paints and consists of 20 scrolls with 93 sections of text and illustrations, which was completed in 1309.
The term “Gongen” means avatar or deity, while the term “genki” in the title is actually short for “reigenki”; reigenki can be translated into “chronicles of marvelous and supernatural events”. Taken together, the title has been translated into “The Miracles of the Kasuga Deity” or “Illustrated Tales of the Miracles of the Avatars of Kasuga” or the equivalent. And as the title suggests, the work focuses on miraculous events involving the Kasuga Shrine and Buddhist/Shinto deities.
Authorship and historyedit
The former regent (kanpaku), Takatsukasa (Fujiwara) Mototada, and his three sons wrote the original text, based on stories compiled by a monk named Kakuen of Tōbokuin, in consultation with two other senior monks of Kōfuku-ji (Jishin of Daijōin and Hanken of Sanzōin).
Mototada copied out scrolls 1-5, 9-13 and 16; the eldest son, Fuyuhira, copied out scrolls 6-8; the second son, Fuyumoto, copied out scrolls 14, 15, 18 and 19; and the fourth son, Ryōshin, copied out scrolls 17 and 18. Takashina Takekane, who was the director of the imperial painting bureau (edokoro), created the illustrations. Following the completion of the work, the Minister of the Left (Sadaijin), Saionji Kinhira (who was also a brother to Kakuen), dedicated it to the Kasuga Shrine and neighboring Buddhist temple, Kōfukuji, in order to honor the deities and thank them for honoring his home.
When the scrolls were first completed and kept at the Kasuga shrine, the scrolls were carefully protected—with no shrine priest or Kōfukuji monk less than 40 years of age able to view the scrolls. Moreover, if the scrolls were required at Kōfukuji, it was only the Tōbokuin sanctuary that was permitted to receive the scrolls. However, for a while, during the late 18th Century, the scrolls became less carefully looked after. The scrolls were most likely treated more casually because of the decline suffered by Kasuga and Kōfukuji at the time.
In order to make Kasuga Gongen genki e more accessible to the public, copies of the work began to appear during the Edo period. However, permission from the head of the Fujiwara clan was needed before any copies were allowed. Currently there are 6 known copies to be made: one owned by the Kajūji family, the Yōmei Bunko copy (Yōmei Bunko-bon), the Kasuga copy (Kasuga-bon/Kuwana-bon), the Tokyo National Museum copy (Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan-bon) no. 1, the National Diet Library copy (Kokuritsu Kokkai Toshokan-bon), and the Tokyo National Museum copy no. 2 (3). The original work is of extremely high quality and is kept by the Imperial household.
English Translationedit
Royall Tyler has completed a study and complete English translation of Kasuga Gongen genki e, under the title “The Miracles of the Kasuga Deity”, which was published in 1990. Within his translation, Royall Tyler refers to Kasuga Gongen genki as “the Genki”. The first part of the book gives background information on the Kasuga shrine, Kōfukuji, the Kasuga cult and the religious background and context in which the original work was created. The second part of the book gives a complete translation of all 20 scrolls, with annotations to assist the reader in understanding the work.
kasuga, gongen, genki, 春日権現験記絵, painted, handscrolls, emakimono, that, produced, during, early, 14th, century, kamakura, period, japan, members, fujiwara, clan, work, created, order, honor, deities, kasuga, with, stories, revolving, around, kasuga, shrine, kōf. Kasuga Gongen Genki E 春日権現験記絵 is a set of painted handscrolls emakimono that was produced during the early 14th Century Kamakura period of Japan by members of the Fujiwara clan The work was created in order to honor the deities of Kasuga with the stories revolving around the Kasuga shrine and Kōfukuji temple located in Nara The colourful silk work was made with silver and gold paints and consists of 20 scrolls with 93 sections of text and illustrations which was completed in 1309 Kasuga Gongen Genki EContents 1 Meaning of the name 2 Authorship and history 3 English Translation 4 See also 5 Gallery 6 External linksMeaning of the name editThe term Gongen means avatar or deity while the term genki in the title is actually short for reigenki reigenki can be translated into chronicles of marvelous and supernatural events Taken together the title has been translated into The Miracles of the Kasuga Deity or Illustrated Tales of the Miracles of the Avatars of Kasuga or the equivalent And as the title suggests the work focuses on miraculous events involving the Kasuga Shrine and Buddhist Shinto deities Authorship and history editThe former regent kanpaku Takatsukasa Fujiwara Mototada and his three sons wrote the original text based on stories compiled by a monk named Kakuen of Tōbokuin in consultation with two other senior monks of Kōfuku ji Jishin of Daijōin and Hanken of Sanzōin Mototada copied out scrolls 1 5 9 13 and 16 the eldest son Fuyuhira copied out scrolls 6 8 the second son Fuyumoto copied out scrolls 14 15 18 and 19 and the fourth son Ryōshin copied out scrolls 17 and 18 Takashina Takekane who was the director of the imperial painting bureau edokoro created the illustrations Following the completion of the work the Minister of the Left Sadaijin Saionji Kinhira who was also a brother to Kakuen dedicated it to the Kasuga Shrine and neighboring Buddhist temple Kōfukuji in order to honor the deities and thank them for honoring his home When the scrolls were first completed and kept at the Kasuga shrine the scrolls were carefully protected with no shrine priest or Kōfukuji monk less than 40 years of age able to view the scrolls Moreover if the scrolls were required at Kōfukuji it was only the Tōbokuin sanctuary that was permitted to receive the scrolls However for a while during the late 18th Century the scrolls became less carefully looked after The scrolls were most likely treated more casually because of the decline suffered by Kasuga and Kōfukuji at the time In order to make Kasuga Gongen genki e more accessible to the public copies of the work began to appear during the Edo period However permission from the head of the Fujiwara clan was needed before any copies were allowed Currently there are 6 known copies to be made one owned by the Kajuji family the Yōmei Bunko copy Yōmei Bunko bon the Kasuga copy Kasuga bon Kuwana bon the Tokyo National Museum copy Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan bon no 1 the National Diet Library copy Kokuritsu Kokkai Toshokan bon and the Tokyo National Museum copy no 2 3 The original work is of extremely high quality and is kept by the Imperial household English Translation editRoyall Tyler has completed a study and complete English translation of Kasuga Gongen genki e under the title The Miracles of the Kasuga Deity which was published in 1990 Within his translation Royall Tyler refers to Kasuga Gongen genki as the Genki The first part of the book gives background information on the Kasuga shrine Kōfukuji the Kasuga cult and the religious background and context in which the original work was created The second part of the book gives a complete translation of all 20 scrolls with annotations to assist the reader in understanding the work See also editJapanese painting List of National Treasures of Japan paintings Gallery edit nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp External links editAbout the work by Royall Tyler Book review The Miracles of the Kasuga Deity Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kasuga Gongen Genki E amp oldid 1116873588, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
