Kakemono scroll painting from Japan

This Kakemono scroll painting depicts the death of the historic Buddha Shākyamuni and his transition to parinirvāna (nehan zu), a state of liberation from the circle of bliss and rebirth from which there is no return to physical form. Around the Buddha are grieving creatures from insects to deities, and his begging cup has been wrapped in red cloth and placed in a tree.

VK5561:448. Photo: Ilari Järvinen, 2015.