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hokuto mandara@–k“l™ΦδΆ—…
KEY WORD :@art history / iconography
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A variety of mandala dedicated to specific deities *besson mandara •Κ‘Έ™ΦδΆ—…, used when performing the hokutohou –k“l–@ or Big Dipper rite for averting natural disasters and other calamities. It is sometimes also referred to as *hoshi mandara ―™ΦδΆ—…, but whereas the term hoshi mandara may designate any mandala *mandara ™ΦδΆ—… that represents the deification of heavenly bodies, the term hokuto mandara primarily refers to the version prevalent in Japan which is centered on *Ichijikinrin Butchou ˆκŽš‹ΰ—Φ•§’Έ, in this case called Shaka kinrin Žί‰ή‹ΰ—Φ since he assumes the form of *Shaka Žί‰ή. He is shown surrounded by the seven stars of the Big Dipper and the nine planets in the central enclosure, by the twelve signs of the zodiac in the second enclosure, and by 28 lunar mansions in the third enclosure. A circular mandara is used by the Tendai “V‘δ sect. A square mandara is used by the Shingon ^ŒΎ sect, and there are minor differences in the disposition of the deities. A renown example of a circular version is that kept at Houryuuji –@—²Ž› in Nara, and the square version preserved at Kumedadera ‹v•Δ“cŽ› in Osaka. In addition, the Myouken mandara –­Œ©™ΦδΆ—… centered on *Myouken –­Œ©, the shuunananzan mandara I“μŽR™ΦδΆ—… which reflects Taioist influence, and the hokuto mandara of Chinese provenance centered on Shijoukou *Butchou ΰ•·Œυ•§’Έ (touhon hokuto mandara “‚–{–k“l™ΦδΆ—…) may also be regarded as varieties of hokuto mandara in the broad sense of the term .
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NOTES
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(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.@No reproduction or republication without written permission.
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