Kobo Daishi (Kukai) as a Boy (Chigo Daishi)
15th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions
86.7 × 48.9 cm (34 1/8 × 19 1/4 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
11146
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Kukai (774–835) was an influential religious leader responsible for introducing Shingon Buddhism, a form of Esoteric Buddhism, to Japan in the ninth century. After his death, Kûkai received the name Kôbô Daishi (Great Teacher of the Divine Law) and was revered as a saint. The inscription at the top of this painting is a quotation from the Goyuigo, a set of instructions believed to have been prepared by Kukai for his disciples. In the passage, Kukai describes a dream he had as a child in which h...
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...