Buddhist Figures and Their Attributes - Kino Shūshin

A detailed woodblock print from the 1783 catalogue of Buddhist iconography, featuring various deities and their symbolic attributes.

This woodblock print originates from the Zōho shoshū Butsuzō zui, a comprehensive catalogue of Buddhist iconography published in 1783. Kino Shūshin compiled this reference work to assist practitioners and artists in identifying various deities, bodhisattvas, and guardian figures within the Buddhist pantheon. The page displays a grid of figures, each accompanied by specific attributes and textual descriptions written in Japanese script.

The visual style is characteristic of Edo period woodblock printing, utilising clean, precise lines to define the forms of the figures. Each deity is depicted with distinct garments, postures, and symbolic objects, reflecting the rigorous standards of religious art documentation during this era. The composition is structured as a reference table, prioritising clarity and utility for the reader. The figures range from serene, standing bodhisattvas to dynamic, armoured guardian deities, demonstrating the breadth of the Buddhist hierarchy.

As a historical document, this print provides insight into the transmission of religious knowledge in eighteenth-century Japan. It functions as a visual lexicon, where the relationship between the figure and their associated attributes is clearly delineated. The monochromatic nature of the print allows the viewer to focus on the draughtsmanship and the specific iconographic details that define each subject. This work remains a valuable resource for those interested in the history of Japanese religious art and the technical development of woodblock printing during the Edo period.