The volume presents the Buddhist iconography of Japan as depicted in the Butsuzozui, a collection of iconographic sketches of various Buddhas that falls under the genre of Zuzo collections of iconic drawings in black and white. Inspired by the Chinese style of paintings called Paihuo or Hakubyo, the over 800 sketches presented here bear reference to the landmark work of this genre compiled in ce 1175 under the title of Besson Zakki and are arranged on the basis of the treatise of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. Butsuzozui presents Buddhism as it has been adapted in Japan, with the collections of Buddhist icons divided into five parts. It contains the list of sources, especially the scriptures. It deals with the Chinese icons of Fudaishi and his sons -- the laughing Buddhas; sketches on the birth of the historical Buddha, his search, sambodhi and parinirvana; the nine categories of Amida and the classification of the Seven Buddhas of healing (Shichi Yakubutsu). It introduces the amalgamation of Buddhist and the native Shinto deities, a unique feature of Japanese Buddhism. The sections that follow expand the list of the protector gods associated with the Japanese beliefs and the different historical personalities associated with the various sects of Buddhism in Japan.

The volume will interest scholars of Buddhist religion and art.

Contents

Foreword - Michaela Appel

Prologue - Lokesh Chandra

Introduction

Preface of the Japanese

Editor

Preface of Hidenobu

List of the References

1. Fudaishi and his two sons

2. The four stages of the Sakyamuni

3. Nine grades of Amitabha 

4. The Seven Buddhas of Healing and Other Buddhas 

5. The Eight Bodhisattvas and Others

6. Sixteen Mahabodhisattvas of the Vajradhatu 

7. The Twenty-five Bodhisattvas

8. The Seven Avalokitesvaras

9. Thirty-three forms of Avalokitesvara

10. The Six forms of Ksitigarbha with six other Ksitigarbha

11. The Bodhisattvas in Lotus Sutra 

12. The Five Mahabala Bodhisattvas and Others

13. Five Mahavidyarajas 

14. Vidyaraja

15. Esoteric Buddhas of Thirty days, and

16. Thirty Corresponding Vidyadevas 

17. Incarnates of the Seven Shrines of the Sanno and other Incarnates

18. Vidyadevas of the four Shrines of Mount Koya 

19. Kumaras and Four Dogmas 

20. The Sixteen Kumaras of Sarasvati 

21. The Eight Mahakumaras of Acala 

22. The Ten Raksasis and Parents

23. Various Devas

24. Saptarsi, Stars of the Seven Days

25. The Nine Planets, Navagraha

26. The Twenty-eight Naksatras

27. The Twelve Zodiacal Mansions 

28. The Thirty-six Animal Figures 

29. The Twelve Devas 

30. Various Guardians 

31. Six Forms of Mahakala and Others 

32. Ten Kings of the Hell (Naraka-pala) 

33. Twelve Marshals of Bhaisajyaguru 

34. Sixteen Protectors of Mahaprajnaparamita 

35. Twenty-eight Marshals of Avalokitesvara 

36. Main Deities Enshrined in Temples 

37. The Thirteen Buddhas

38. Nagarjuna and Other Bodhisattvas 

39. The Five Manifestations of Akasagarbha and Others

40. The oldest Statues of Buddha in Japan 

41. The Twelve Titles of Amitabha 

42. The Idols of Thirty-three Avalokitesvara Temples in Japan

43. Deities of the Six days of Uposadha

44. The Seven Deities of Fortune

45. Goddess of Sailors and Other Deities 

46. The Sixteen Arhats

47. The Ten Great Disciples 

48. Prince Shotoku

49. The Teachers of Various Sects

Hosso, Sanron, Kusha, Jojitsu, Ritsu, Kegon, Tendai, Shingon, Zen, Jodo, Ikko, Hokke, Hosso Tendai and other Patriarch, Gozan, and Other Patriarchs

50. Implements and Accessories 

Epilogue

Alphabetical List of Japanese Terms

Alphabetical List of Sanskrit Terms