Nyoirin Kannon

Object Details

• Label

  This icon is one of two of the earliest known Japanese paintings featuring this compassionate deity. The power of the jewel (nyoi hoju) and the sacred wheel, held in two of his six hands, allows Nyoirin Kannon to respond to prayers and relieve suffering. The waves surrounding his image refer to Nyoirin Kannon's abode on Mt. Potalaka in the sea south of India.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Power of Words in an Age of Crisis (October 14, 2017 to May 6, 2018)

  Religious Art of Japan (December 18, 2002 to January 4, 2015)

  Selections from the Japanese Collection (March 22 to November 29, 1999)

  Japanese Art (May 9, 1993 to November 21, 1995)

  Japanese Art (July 1, 1974 to April 10, 1978)

  Japanese Art: Painting and Sculpture (July 1, 1966 to May 2, 1973)

  Japanese Art (January 1, 1963 to July 1, 1966)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1200s

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Heian period (794 - 1185), Art, Kannon, Dharmacakra, Japanese Art, Bodhisattva, Kakemono

• Culture

  Buddhists, Japanese

• Object Type

  Paintings