Parinirvana of Sakyamuni c. late 17th century

Hanabusa Itchō painted ‘Parinirvana of Sakyamuni’ using ink and color on silk. The composition is dominated by the Buddha, resplendent in gold, reclining on his deathbed. This scene, imbued with a sense of sorrow and reverence, invites contemplation on themes of mortality and transcendence. The artist orchestrates a complex interplay of figures – deities, humans, and animals – each rendered with meticulous detail and expressive emotion. The varied reactions to Buddha's passing are captured with a keen sense of observation. This reflects broader artistic and philosophical concerns about death. The careful attention to line and color, along with the dynamic arrangement of figures, engages with the symbolic vocabulary of Buddhist art. The painting prompts ongoing interpretations of spiritual and artistic expression.