Luring the Sun Goddess Amaterasu Out of a Cave with Music; Death of the Historical Buddha

Art Historical Context

This striking pair of hanging scrolls by Kōno Bairei presents two pivotal moments from Japanese religious tradition. One scroll depicts the Shinto myth of luring the sun goddess Amaterasu from her cave, restoring light to the world through music and dance. The companion scroll portrays the death of the historical Buddha, or parinirvana, surrounded by grieving disciples. Created during Japan’s Meiji period, these works reflect a time when artists navigated rapid modernization while preserving cultural heritage. Bairei, a leading Kyoto-based painter, worked in the nihonga style, blending traditional ink techniques with vibrant colors and gold accents on silk. The delicate medium allows luminous effects that enhance the sacred narratives, while the vertical scroll format was designed for intimate temple or home display. By pairing a Shinto creation story with a Buddhist scene, the set highlights Japan’s long history of interwoven spiritual traditions, even as the Meiji government promoted their separation. Today, these scrolls offer visitors a window into Meiji-era artistic revival and the enduring power of myth in Japanese visual culture.