Copy of Prayer and Sutra Chanting Decree (Kito tenkyo chojo no utsushi)(April 13, 852)

Ink on Paper

  • original
  • transcription

Tracing Enchin's activities in Dazaifu

Enchin stayed in Dazaifu as he waited for a ship to take him to Tang China as part of his mission to seek the Dharma. From April 4 to 10 of 852, he performed readings of the Lotus Sutra, the Humane King Sutra, the Mahavairocana Mantra, and the Vajrasekhara Mantra, praying for the nation's peace, prevention of disasters, and abundant harvests while visiting Kawara Shrine in Buzen Province (Kawara Town, Tagawa District, Fukuoka Prefecture), and Kamado Shrine (Mt. Homan in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture) and Sumiyoshi Shrine (Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City), as well as on April 10 in the same province, at Hakata Beach to the deities of Kashii-myojin (Kashii-gu Shrine at Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City). This document, a Kamakura-era (10th to 12th century) copy of the report submitted to Dazaifu on April 13th of the same year, details these events.

Category
National Treasure
Era
Copied in March, 1198, with a postscript
Measurements
32.1 × 56.8 cm