Illustrated Legends of the Tenchi-in (Tenchi-in engi)
14th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and colors on silk
Dimensions
256 × 104 cm (100 13/16 × 41 in.)
Classification
painting
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
80073
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Tenchi-in compound was founded in 708 by the monk Gyoki (668–749), who also built the great national temple of Todaiji in 743. Tenchi-in was later incorporated into the organizational structure of Todaiji, which owns two similar painted scrolls that once formed a set with this one. Narrative paintings were often commissioned by temples to assist monks in describing their history and teachings to visitors. Here monks and pilgrims walk through the red gate toward the central hall dedicated to ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...