East Asian Art Deer MandalaMade in Japan, Asia Edo Period
(1615-1868), 17th century Artist/maker unknown, Japanese Color
on silk; mounted as a hanging scroll Currently not on view
|Purchased with the Hollis Fund for East Asian Art Acquisitions,
the J. Stogdell Stokes Fund, and the George W.B. Taylor Fund,
2005| LabelDeer are considered to be the sacred messengers of
Shinto deities. They are often depicted in mandalas such as this
one from the Kasuga Shrine, built by the powerful Fujiwara clan
in the early eighth century to protect the family and the new
capital city, Nara. Here a white stag rides on a cloud,
symbolizing his role as a messenger between earth and the gods.
On his saddle is a branch of the sacred sakaki tree and a
mirror, which, along with the sword and the jewel, is one of the
three sacred symbols of Shinto.