Water Moon Kannon

This is a late Meiji Period (1868-1912) image of the water moon Kannon. The figure of the Bodhisattva is always shown in a natural setting with a water element of some kind: sometimes a waterfall or pool. The figure is seated on a rock foundation. The aura behind the head is like the moon and therefore is part of the identification of this genre of Buddhist painting.

It is a favorite subject of Japanese and Chinese painters of Buddhist subjects. Kannon is the evolved image of the holy figure which originated in India called Avalokiteshvara. He vowed to forego the bliss of nirvana until all men have learned the Buddhist law. In China the image became mixed with an indigenous mother deity and took on the definition of the “Goddess of Mercy” or “Goddess of Compassion”. Because of this association, the image of Kannon tends to be rather effeminate as time passes. He is one of the most loved of all the Buddhist paragons. New mounting.

观音。明治（1868 – 1912）。设色绢本立轴。品相优。