Portraits of Seven Shingon Patriarchs
| Portrait of the Seven Shingon Patriarchs | |
|---|---|
| Japanese: 絹本著色真言七祖像 (kenpon chakushoku shingon shichisozō)' | |
Portrait of Amoghavajra | |
| Artist | Li Zhen, Kukai |
| Year | 806, 821 |
| Movement | Butsuga |
| Subject | Seven Masters of Shingon Buddhism |
| Designation | National Treasure |
| Location | Kyoto |
| Owner | To-ji |
The Portraits of Seven Shingon Patriarchs, (Japanese: 絹本著色真言七祖像; Romaji: kenpon chakushoku shingon shichisozō) is a set of Tang dynasty and Heian period hanging scrolls depicting the Masters of Chinese Esoteric Buddhism. Commissioned by Kūkai in 806 as the "Eighth Master" of Shingon Buddhism, after his abhisheka under his master Huiguo, and painted by the artist Li Zhen, they were made as part of Kukai's return to Japan, as he established the foundation of Shingon, and further dissemination of Buddhism. Currently housed in Tō-ji, Kyoto, it is classified as a National Treasure.