Ōtsu-e Nirvana of the Buddha (Ōtsu-e Butsu Nehanzu)

1800s

Hakuen 伯圓

(Japanese, active 1850–1870)

Culture

Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912)

Medium

hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Measurements

Overall: 201.9 x 78.7 cm (79 1/2 x 31 in.)

Credit Line

Collection of Dr. Daniel Verne and Mitzie Verne 2016.306

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Location

Not on view

Description

The painting parodies the traditional representation of this subject. The death of Buddha is actually the moment he achieves nirvana and escapes the endless cycle of death and rebirth. Hakuen transformed this serious moment (see The Death of the Buddha, CMA 1916.1141) into a lively parody with otsu-e subjects. Mourners surround the Buddha. An oni, who pretends to be a priest, holds his gong in the air as he beats his drums and chants prayers. The wisteria maiden appears at the left, bringing water to the mourners. Behind her is an oni in the guise of a thunder god beating his drums. The animals along the foreground represent other otsu-e characters and models. The painting would have amused 19th-century viewers familiar with the usual Buddhist imagery.