Raigo Paintings developed from Pure Land Buddhism, and were basically paintings that people hang around homes or nearby when a person was dying. In the Kamakura period they were made in vast numbers and in homes. Raigo means 'welcoming approach' as a way to welcome believers of Pure Land Buddhism to the Western Paradise when they died. These paintings showed faithfulness and devotion to the religion just as much as chanting “Amida Buddha”. These paintings often depicted Amida Buddha on a cloud coming down from the heavens, often assisted by bodhisattvas. In a simplified definition in the Miriam Webster dictionary, bodhisattvas were basically beings that refrained from entering the Western Paradise out of compassion, in order to save those who were suffering. They were often worshiped as deities. Japanese people would attach gold chords to these paintings, and the dying person would hold onto these cords in hopes that Amida Buddha would bring their soul to paradise.
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| "Descent of Amida and the Twenty-Five Bodhisattvas" |
In
this popular painting from the Kamakura Period, the Japanese artist
was skilled in the art of kirikane. This technique uses very
thin slivers of gold leaf, and use it to decorate the Buddha and his
bodhisattvas. The usage of gold leaf emphasizes divine radiance of
these deities. It contrasts greatly with the dark silk of the
painting, which helps heighten the golden feature. Also, take note of
the beautiful landscape in the painting, which was popular in Shinto
beliefs because they resembled nature like elements from where the
deities would be from.
In
Hisashi's painting “Yamagoe Amitaabha” this is a modern take on
the traditional Raigo paintings that were popular in Pure Land
Buddhism. Aspects of modern day culture are the tattoos that cover
Amida Buddha. However, the rest of the painting is a much more
traditional set. “Yamagoe” is defined as (crossing the mountains)
which was very popular in depicting Amida in front or behind a set of
mountains. Although very minuscule, even the hand gesture and the
samurais in the background mean something that can be related to Japans history. The hand gesture “mudra” is an iconic
theme of Buddhism with very important meanings. In this painting,
Amida Buddha displays the Vitarka mudra which translates to
'Teaching gesture'. It represents the constant flow of energy and
information through the circle created by the thumb and the fore
finger. This gesture is popular among great Buddhas in relation to
learning the laws of Buddhism. The samurai in the background can mean
a lot of things, they can simply just be 7 of the 25 bodhisattvas by
the side of Amida. However, they can have a much deeper meaning such
as the 7 Gods of Fortune in Japan, or the 7 Factors of Enlightenment
in Buddhism.
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| "Yamagoe Amitaabha" by Tenmyouya Hisashi |
If we
were relating them to the 7 Gods of Fortune in Japan, the 7 samurai
would symbolize the gods Hotei, Jurojin, Fukurokuju,
Bishamonten,Benzaiten, Daikokuten, and Ebisu. This would obviously
exclude the very well known appearances of the gods. Hotei was the
god of happiness and good health, while Jurojin was the god of wisdom
and long life. Fukurokoju represented the god of wealth and fertility
and Bishamonten was the god of warriors. Benzaiten was the goddess of
knowledge, beauty and art, and Daikokuten was the god of earth and
agriculture. Lastly, Ebisu was the god of the ocean and of honest labor.
If the
7 samurais represented the 7 factors of enlightenment in Buddhism
then they would be in order : Mindfulness, Investigation, Energy,
Happiness, Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity. Mindfulness
is the practice of full body and mind awareness of the present and
free from worry or doubt. Investigation refers to the evaluation of
the nature of reality but also learn about the nature of life and
also Buddha's beliefs. Energy means to put effort and time into the
path of enlightenment and requires great courage. Happiness is a way
of understanding that material things only bind us to suffering but
that our positive actions lead to happiness. Tranquility is gained
through the body and conscience, it is the resting and the
contentment of ones hard work. Concentration is the sixth factor of
enlightenment and requires one to concentrate all mental work onto a
subject so that it can be absorbed. Equanimity is the balance of
extremes like desires and dislikes. This means that one should not be
biased, and not being revered by your likes and dislikes.
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| "Nine Kamakura Samurai" by Tenmyouya Hisashi |
Another
modern take on a traditional Raigo painting is on Tenmyouya's, “Nine
Kamakura Samurai” painting. Displayed is a Amida Buddha statue
among tall trees. It is much more like a monument, a place where
people can visit and pay their respects. Nine people stand in front
dressed in plain track clothes with traditional samurai headgear.
However, there is a deeper meaning of the nine samurai, as they were
prevalent in Japan during the Kamakura period. Looking at the common
Buddhist mudra of the monument's hands, they are in the Dhyana
mudra position. This is a gesture of meditation, concentration,
and spiritual perfection and awakening. The Buddha is in a
enlightened state of mind, or also known as nirvana. The nine samurai
in Hisashi's painting symbolize the nine mudras used in welcoming
those into the Pure Land. They are also known as the “Mudra of the
Nine Levels of Rebirth”. Different mudras symbolize different
spiritual actions in Buddhism.
Sources:
7 Gods here
7 Enlightenment factors here
Mudras here
Amida Raigo painting here
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