Ippen Shonin eden (Illustrated Biography of the Monk Ippen)
Illustrated scrolls of the Kamakura period vividly depicting wandering pilgrimages undertaken by the monk Ippen, as well as people’s ways of life at the time
Ippen Shonin eden consists of illustrated scrolls depicting pilgrimages through various provinces undertaken by the founder of the Ji sect of Buddhism, Ippen, to spread his faith. There are two traditions: Ippen hijiri-e (Paintings of Ippen the Itinerant Monk), compiled by Shokai, and Ippen Shonin engi (History of Ippen Shonin), also called Yugyo Shonin den’e (Biographical Paintings of the Wandering Monk), compiled by Soshun. Completed in 1299, the work (a National Treasure) is made up of 12 scrolls, with a narrative preface written by Shokai and illustrations by the monk En’i. It is in the collection of the Shojoko Temple, with a part in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum. This Japanese-style painting (yamato-e) that makes use of Song period (960–1279) techniques of expression is also a valuable source for learning about the daily life and customs of the time. Depicted in Ippen Shonin eden are towns and cities, people’s ways of life, and characters from a broad range of social classes, from nobility and warriors to commoners.
Ippen (1239–1289) was born into the powerful Kono clan of Iyo Province (now Ehime Prefecture). Entering the Buddhist priesthood at the age of 10, he traveled to Dazaifu and studied Jodo sect doctrine under Shotatsu. He took the name Chishin during this period but returned to secular life in Iyo because of the death of his father in 1263. Subsequently reentering the priesthood in 1271, he retreated to Zenko Temple in Shinano Province and came to a realization of his own faith in Amida (Amitabha). In 1274 he set out on a pilgrimage in which he wandered throughout Japan, from Esashi in Oshu (now in Iwate Prefecture) to Osumi Province (now part of Kagoshima Prefecture), distributing talismans with the characters for “Amida Butsu” (Amitabha Buddha) or “Namu Amida Butsu” (praise to Amitabha Buddha) up until his death in 1289. While retreating to the Shojo Hall of the Hongu, one of the three shrines of Kumano, he changed his name from Chishin to Ippen, saying that an oracle of the Kumano Gongen deity had convinced him that should renounce everything and take refuge in Amida Nyorai (Tathagata Amitabha). In 1279, taking after the monk Kuya, he introduced odori-nenbutsu (dancing and chanting “Praise to Amida”) in Otagiri, Shinano Province (now Saku City, Nagano Prefecture). This proved popular, and subsequently dancing and chanting “Praise to Amida” became practiced wherever Ippen would travel.
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神奈川県藤沢市西富の藤澤山無量光院清浄光寺（遊行寺）にある。昭和52年（1977）に開宗七百年記念事業の一つとして完成。『一遍上人絵伝』をはじめ、仏教美術を中心とした多数の絵画（絵巻・仏画・版画等）、書跡（写経・墨跡・典籍等）、工芸（金工・陶磁・漆工・染色・彫刻等）、時宗に関する中世・近世文書で展示構成。
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Kyushu National Museum explores how Japan’s history of cultural exchange with the rest of Asia has impacted the formation of its culture. To that end, we engage in the collection, preservation, exhibition, and research of cultural properties, in addition to providing educational outreach to the local community.
External Links
2015年11－12月に東京国立博物館で開催。
遊行寺（神奈川県藤沢市）のサイト。
遊行寺（神奈川県藤沢市）のサイト。
e国寶のサイトは、国立文化財機構の四つの国立博物館（東京国立博物館、京都国立博物館、奈良国立博物館、九州国立博物館）が所蔵する国宝・重要文化財の画像を、多言語（日本語、英語、フランス語、中国語、韓国語）による解説付きで閲覧できる。
神奈川県立歴史博物館「国宝 一遍聖絵」展の特設ページ。
References
- 小松茂美 編,中央公論社『一遍上人絵伝』