The Secret Five Bodhisattvas (Gohimitsu Bosatsu)
Unknown Artist
1200s
Medium
hanging scroll; ink, color, gold, and silver on silk
Dimensions
163.2 × 83.8 cm · image: 78.1 × 63.5 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
Accession Number
1961.423
About this artwork
The Secret Five were used in a Buddhist ritual to convert negative aspects of consciousness into positive ones. At the center is Kongōsatta, who represents the enlightened mind. He is surrounded by enlightened beings who convert the human frailties of desire, sensory pleasure, passion, and pride into constructive tools to use on the path to enlightenment.