Ten Rakan Examining a Painting of White-Robed Kannon 1788 - 1792

This hanging scroll, made with ink and color on silk by Katō Nobukiyo, depicts ten Rakan, enlightened disciples of Buddha, gathered around to examine a painting of White-Robed Kannon. In Buddhist iconography, Kannon, or Avalokiteśvara, embodies compassion. Often depicted in white robes, Kannon represents purity and the shedding of worldly concerns to achieve enlightenment. Here, the Rakan, each with unique features and expressions, contemplate this image. The act of viewing and interpreting sacred imagery is itself a recurring motif. Think back to the depictions of scholars contemplating ancient texts. The Rakan's intense focus mirrors a collective yearning for spiritual insight, a psychoanalytic interpretation of humanity’s deep-seated quest for understanding and transcendence. Such gatherings remind us that symbols evolve. What was once a straightforward representation of divinity becomes an object of study, layered with cultural and personal interpretations. This cycle of creation, contemplation, and reinterpretation is crucial. The image resurfaces, transformed and imbued with new meanings.