The Eyeless Sutra: A Tale of Imperial Death and Buddhist Devotion

The National Treasure known as Hakubyō-e ryōshi Rishukyō represents one of the most poignant and unique artworks in Japanese cultural heritage—an unfinished picture scroll transformed into a Buddhist sutra following Emperor Go-Shirakawa's sudden death in 1192. This 25.3 × 456.3 cm handscroll combines exquisite monochrome drawings with gold and silver decorated paper to create what is popularly called the "Menashikyō" or "Eyeless Sutra," named for the haunting incompleteness of its figures whose faces remain forever blank.

Housed at Tokyo's Gotoh Museum, this 1193 CE masterwork bridges secular art and sacred text, preserving both a mystery about its original narrative and a memorial to one of Japan's most culturally significant emperors. The artwork demonstrates the sophisticated integration of hakubyō-e (white line drawing) and ryōshi (decorated paper) techniques at their Kamakura period peak, while copying the Rishukyō—one of esoteric Buddhism's most important texts.

An Emperor's Unfinished Dream Becomes a Memorial

The story behind this National Treasure reads like historical drama. Emperor Go-Shirakawa, ruling from his retired position as cloistered emperor, commissioned an elaborate narrative picture scroll (emaki) alongside an unnamed Zen nun sometime before his death. Master artisans prepared luxurious decorated paper and began executing delicate underdrawings in the graceful Yamato-e style characteristic of Heian court painting.

The scenes depicted courtly figures—nobles and court ladies in aristocratic settings—using the distinctive "fukinuki yatai" technique where roofs are removed to reveal interior spaces, similar to the famous Tale of Genji illustrations. However, the project halted abruptly on March 13, 1192, when Go-Shirakawa died, leaving the drawings incomplete at the preliminary stage before facial features could be added and colors applied.

Approximately one year later, in August 1193, those involved in the project made a profound decision. Rather than abandon or complete the secular artwork, they repurposed the unfinished decorated paper for copying Buddhist sutras as an act of memorial to honor Go-Shirakawa's soul. The calligrapher Jōhen (1166-1224)—son of Taira no Yorimori and member of the influential Taira clan—copied the Prajñāpāramitā-naya-sūtra (Rishukyō) in black ink directly over the pale underdrawings.

White Line Drawing Meets Decorated Paper Mastery

The National Treasure showcases two sophisticated artistic techniques at their peak development. Hakubyō-e, literally "white drawing," refers to a monochromatic painting technique using fine brushlines in ink to define form without color or shading. Originating in China during the Warring States period and perfected by Tang dynasty masters, the technique was introduced to Japan before the mid-8th century.

In Japan, hakubyō evolved into two distinct categories. The first included preparatory sketches and Buddhist iconographic studies with dynamic, free-flowing lines. The second category, hakubyō yamato-e, featured extremely delicate unmodulated lines illustrating Heian period courtly literature, occasionally employing the palest ink washes and tiny spots of red for details like lips.

Ryōshi, or decorated paper, represents a parallel peak of Japanese craftsmanship. By the 12th century, Japanese artisans had refined papermaking using kōzo (mulberry), gampi, and mitsumata fibers. The Heian period golden age saw aristocratic culture elevate decorated papers to extraordinary sophistication through techniques including dyed papers, printed patterns with mica, cut or powdered gold and silver foil, joined papers of different colors, and underpaintings in precious metals.

The Principle of Wisdom Sutra and Its Esoteric Power

The text copied onto this decorated paper—the Rishukyō—stands as one of Japanese esoteric Buddhism's most important scriptures. The full Sanskrit title, Adhyardhaśatikā Prajñāpāramitā ("Perfection of Wisdom in 150 Verses"), was translated into Chinese by the great tantric master Amoghavajra between 763-771 CE and brought to Japan by Kūkai (774-835), founder of Shingon Buddhism.

The sutra's central doctrine of "intrinsic purity" teaches that all phenomena and human experiences are fundamentally pure by nature—enlightenment is inherent in all beings, and the phenomenal world itself embodies Buddha's wisdom. Its most distinctive section contains seventeen verses affirming that various human experiences, properly understood with enlightened awareness and compassion, are manifestations of buddha-nature.

Before World War II, the Rishukyō was considered so profound and potentially misunderstood that lay people were forbidden from chanting it or studying its contents. Even today, ordained Shingon priests must receive special training in how to chant it before they can study its meaning.

Visiting the Treasure at Gotoh Museum in Tokyo

The "Eyeless Sutra" resides at the Gotoh Museum in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, founded in 1960 by Keita Gotoh (1882-1959), former chairman of Tokyu Corporation. The museum houses approximately 5,000 objects including five National Treasures and fifty Important Cultural Properties, with particular strength in ancient sutras.

The museum sits just five minutes' walk from Kaminoge Station on the Tokyu Oimachi Line, which connects to Shibuya in twenty minutes. Hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM), closed Mondays, with general admission at ¥1,100. The museum accepts major credit cards alongside cash.

As with all National Treasures on delicate paper with metallic decoration, the Hakubyō-e ryōshi Rishukyō is not on permanent display. Visitors hoping to see this specific treasure should contact the museum in advance at 050-5541-8600 or monitor the official website for exhibition announcements.

Planning Your Cultural Excursion in Southwest Tokyo

The Setagaya location offers advantages for visitors seeking authentic Tokyo experiences beyond tourist crowds. Just one station away, Futako-tamagawa provides modern shopping at the massive Rise complex with 170+ shops and excellent dining options ranging from premium sushi to Taiwanese dumplings and Australian-style pancakes.

One station in the other direction, Todoroki Valley offers Tokyo's only valley—a stunning one-kilometer walking trail through a wooded ravine with the Yazawa River, red bridges, and lush vegetation creating natural canopy. This 20-30 minute nature walk provides remarkable contrast to Tokyo's urban intensity and combines perfectly with the Gotoh Museum visit for a half-day cultural itinerary.

Beyond the galleries, the museum's approximately 20,000 square meter Japanese garden offers seasonal beauty worth the visit even when special treasures aren't displayed. The garden utilizes natural slopes with multiple ponds, walking paths through woods, three traditional tea houses, Buddhist statues, and stone lanterns throughout.