Page 114 - JAPAN THE SHAPING OFDAIMYO CULTURE 1185-1868

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as the person responsible for the great cul-
tural enterprise of block-printing the is-
saikyd (complete collection of Buddhist
scriptures). Having lived to the old age of
one hundred seven years, he received
from the emperor the posthumous title
Jigen Daishi.
Tenkai was instrumental in recon-
structing many buildings at Enryakuji, the
headquarters of the Tendai school outside
Kyoto. This portrait of Tenkai is the main
icon of Enichiin, built in 1644 as a su btem-
ple of Enryakuji, and probably dates from
that time—that is, one year after his
death.
The head and torso are made of sev-
eral pieces of Japanese cypress (hinoki),
with crystal eyes. The figure wears a cloth
draped over its head, a vermilion priestly
robe, and over it a kesa (priest's mantle)
decorated with polychromy and cut gold
leaf. Tenkai is seated, holding prayer beads
in both hands and a gokosho (five-pronged
ritual instrument symbolizing a thunder-
bolt) in the left hand. NK

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