unsigned; white deer wearing bells and an ornate saddle with a wisteria vine growing from it; golden circle within wisteria with three figures sitting cross-legged, and sitting with hands folded in front of chest, clasping small tablets, four of the figures are in white, and center figure is in red; mountains at top with colorful mounds, water below, and golden moon near top

Deer Mandala of the Kasuga Shrine, first half 15th century

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Five Shinto deities appear in a golden orb supported by a branch of wisteria all atop a white stag wearing a sumptuous lacquered saddle. The deer has ridden in from the heavens, indicated by the pink cloud upon which he stands. The deities within the orb represent the five deities of Kasuga Shrine, located in the ancient capital of Nara. They are also the tutelary deities of the once powerful Fujiwara family, whose name means “field of wisteria.” To this day, deer, which are considered sacred, roam the mountains of Kasuga and the old capital Nara, as they have since ancient times.

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Details
Title
Deer Mandala of the Kasuga Shrine
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.79.24
Catalogue Raisonne
Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 34
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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unsigned; white deer wearing bells and an ornate saddle with a wisteria vine growing from it; golden circle within wisteria with three figures sitting cross-legged, and sitting with hands folded in front of chest, clasping small tablets, four of the figures are in white, and center figure is in red; mountains at top with colorful mounds, water below, and golden moon near top