Paintings

Shiko Munakata

“Kegompu” (Record of the Avatamsaka Sutra)

Period

c.1936

Size

（Paper） Length30×Width61cm

Inspired greatly by Japanese Shinto and Buddhism, as well as Christianity, Munakata turned to religious subjects for the first time with this work. In addition to the world of the Avatamsaka Sutra featuring Vairocana, the principle image of the Avatamsaka Sutra and who was born out of the sun god, other deities and Buddha in the work include Acala, and the gods of wind and thunder. Munakata here cultivates a unique world.

Shiko Munakata

1903－1975

Born in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. After moving to Tokyo he began to work as a woodblock printmaker His Yamato shi uruwashi (1936) received recognition from Soetsu Yanagi and he became involved with the Mingei Movement. In 1955, he was given the first prize for woodblock printing at the São Paulo Art Biennial. In 1970, he received the Order of Culture.