By Yamamoto Mosuke (also known as Kokei, active c. 1840-1878), signed Yamamoto Mosuke Kokei
Japan, dated 1854, Edo period (1615-1868)

Comprising 33 shrines, each depicting one of the 33 manifestations of Kannon Bosatsu, including:

- Seven Nyoirin Kannon (Cintamanicakra Kannon)
- Seven Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-faced Kannon)
- Twelve Senju Kannon (Thousand-armed Kannon)
- Three Sho Kannon (Sacred Kannon)
- Bato Kannon (Horse-headed Kannon)
- Juntei Kannon (Cundi Kannon)
- Miroku Bosatsu (Maitreya Bodhisattva)
- Fukukenja Hachimoku Kannon (Eight-eyes Amoghapasa Kannon)

The shrines are arranged according to the temples found along the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage and are inscribed with goeika (pilgrim hymns) on the right doors. The left doors feature a date and the name of the donor Ishida Tomozaemon Gentai, while the base of each shrine displays the temple or hall name, location, and the number from the series. The top sections each feature two family crests formed as a mixture of "agari-fuji" (ascending wisteria) and "sangi" (traditional counting rods), a sacred combination.

Inscriptions: Each shrine inscribed to the left door, 嘉永七甲寅年五月 Kaei shichi koin nen go gatsu [fifth month of the seventh year of the Kaei era (1854)] and signed ??友左衛?, ?泰謹造之 Ishida Tomozaemon, Gentai kinzo no [respectfully commissioned by Ishida Tomozaemon Gentai]. The first and last shrine inscribed to the back, 京都御幸町松原上、大佛師職、山本茂祐弘慶Kyoto Goko-machi Matsubara-agaru, Daibutsu shi shoku, Yamamoto Mosuke Kokei [Matsubara-agaru, Goko-machi, Kyoto, Great Buddha Master Yamamoto Mosuke Kokei].

HEIGHT c. 38 cm – 44.5 cm (smallest to largest without stands)

Provenance: From a Dutch private collection.
Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, few tiny losses here and there, small chips, rubbing to the gilt, nicks, scratches, little warping, few fine age cracks, minor flaking, some of the metal elements lost or loosened, small touchups here and there, minor repairs, and few doors jammed. Overall presenting exceptionally well and in a remarkably well-preserved state.

With twelve stands for the smaller shrines and three papers with stamps and inscriptions collected from temples along the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

The shrines contain the complete set of Kannon images from the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, following closely the order and illustrations recorded in the Volume 5 of Butsuzo Zui (Compendium of Buddhist Statues), which was reprinted during the Meiji period. These images are likely reproductions of the honzon icons (main deity statues) that were issued at each pilgrimage temple, often referred to as gosatsu (images of the deity).

The Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage is a sacred journey through 33 Buddhist temples throughout the Kansai region of Japan dedicated to Kannon (Avalokiteshvara). Pilgrims record their progress with a prayer book which the temple staff mark with stamps or calligraphy indicating the temple number, the temple name, and the specific name of the Kannon image. Traditionally, pilgrims recite a unique goeika (pilgrim’s hymn) at each temple, which are often themed around the temple, location, season, or spiritual significance. These goeika are inscribed to the right door of each shrine.

Yamamoto Mosuke (active c. 1840-1878), also known as Kokei, was a Kyoto-based carver who produced significant works, including a large statue of Amida Buddha (2.8 m tall) for Chion'in Temple, Kyoto, now housed at Unshinji Temple in Nagoya. One of his largest projects was producing a group of 517 Buddhist statues, including the five hundred Rakan statues for the Soto Zen Buddhist temple in Daishoji, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Yamamoto Mosuke also contributed to several high-profile restoration projects, such as the Dainichi Nyorai statue at Kiyomizu Temple and the Great Amida Buddha statue in the Phoenix Hall at Byodo-in, Uji. One of his most well-known projects was the recreation of 23 Buddhist statues modeled after the Katsuma Mandara in Toji Temple, Kyoto, which were exhibited at the 1878 Paris Great Expo. At the same time, a replica of the mandara was created by Yamamoto for émile Guimet, a French industrialist and founder of the Guimet Museum, who saw the mandara during his visit to Kyoto. The replica of the Toji mandara is now housed in the Musée Guimet.

List of the 33 Kannon images, according to their number in the Saigoku Reijo Fudasho Honzon (Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage).

1. 如意輪観世音 — Nyoirin Kannon — Cintamanicakra Kannon
2. 十一面観世音 — Juichimen Kannon — Eleven?Faced Kannon
3. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
4. 弥勒菩薩 — Miroku Bosatsu — Maitreya Bodhisattva
5. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
6. 如意輪観世音 — Nyoirin Kannon — Cintamanicakra Kannon
7. 如意輪観世音 — Nyoirin Kannon — Cintamanicakra Kannon
8. 十一面観世音 — Juichimen Kannon — Eleven?Faced Kannon
9. 不空羂索八目観世音 — Fukukenja hachimoku Kannon — Eight-Eyes Amoghapasa Kannon
10. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
11. 準提観世音 — Juntei Kannon — Cundi Kannon
12. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
13. 二臂如意輪観世音 — Nihi Nyoirin Kannon — Two-Armed Cintamanicakra Kannon
14. 如意輪観世音 — Nyoirin Kannon — Cintamanicakra Kannon
15. 十一面観世音 — Juichimen Kannon — Eleven?Faced Kannon
16. 楊柳千手観世音 — Yoryu Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Willow Kannon
17. 十一面観世音 — Juichimen Kannon — Eleven?Faced Kannon
18. 如意輪観世音 — Nyoirin Kannon — Cintamanicakra Kannon
19. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
20. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
21. 聖観世音 — Sho Kannon — Sacred Kannon
22. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
23. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
24. 十一面観世音 — Juichimen Kannon — Eleven?Faced Kannon
25. 十一面観世音 — Juichimen Kannon — Eleven?Faced Kannon
26. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
27. 如意輪観世音 — Nyoirin Kannon — Cintamanicakra Kannon
28. 聖観世音 — Sho Kannon — Sacred Kannon
29. 馬頭観世音 — Bato Kannon — Horse?Headed Kannon
30. 千手観世音— Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
31. 聖観世音 — Sho Kannon — Sacred Kannon
32. 千手観世音 — Senju Kannon — Thousand?Armed Kannon
33. 十一面観世音 — Juichimen Kannon — Eleven?Faced Kannon


TRANSLATIONS OF THE INSCRIPTIONS ON THE 33 KANNON ZUSHI

Inscriptions to the back of the first and last shrine
京都御幸町松原上、大佛師職、山本茂祐弘慶
Kyoto Goko-machi Matsubara-agaru, Daibutsu shi shoku, Yamamoto Mosuke Kokei
[Matsubara-agaru, Goko-machi, Kyoto, Great Buddha Master Yamamoto Mosuke Kokei]

Each shrine inscribed to the left door
嘉永七甲寅年五月
Kaei shichi koin nen go gatsu
fifth month of the seventh year of the Kaei era (1854)

??友左衛?, ?泰謹造之
Ishida Tomozaemon, Gentai kinzo no
respectfully made by Ishida Tomozaemon Gentai

Inscriptions to the right door and center

1. 紀州，第壹番，那智山
Kishu/Dai ichi ban/Nachisan
Kishu, number one, Nachisan

ふだらくや　ここは那智の　お山なる 那智の大瀧　拝むうれしさ
Fudaraku ya / koko wa Nachi no / oyama naru Nachi no ōtaki / ogamu ureshisa
“This is Mount Nachi, the Pure Land of Fudaraku. How joyful it is to stand before the great waterfall and offer reverence.”

2. 紀州，第貮番，紀三井寺
Kishu/Dai ni ban/Kimii-dera
Kishu, number two, Kimii-Temple

ふるさとを　はるばるここに　紀三井寺　花の都も　近くなるらん
Furusato o/ harubaru kokoni/ Kimii-dera/ hana no miyako mo/ chikaku naruran.
“Having come far from my old home, I arrive here at Kimiidera; surely even the Flowering Capital must now feel nearer.”

3. 紀州，第三番，粉川寺
Kishu/Dai san ban/Kokawa-dera
Kishu, number three, Kokawa-Temple

父母の　恵みも深き　粉河寺　ほとけの誓ひ　たのもしの身や
Chichi haha no/ Megumi mo fukaki/ Kokawa-dera/ hotoke no chikai/ tanomoshi no miya.
“At Kokawadera, where the blessings of father and mother are felt so deeply, how reassuring it is to entrust myself to the Buddha’s vow.”

4. 泉州、第四番、槙尾寺( 施福寺 )
Senshu/ Dai yon ban/ Makio-dera (Sefuku-ji)
Senshu, number four, Makio-Temple (Sefuku-Temple)

深山路や　檜原松原　わけ行けば　巻の尾寺に　駒ぞいさめる
Miyama ji ya/ hibara Matsubara/ wake yuke ba/ Makino o no tera ni/ koma zo isamu.
“On this deep?mountain path, as I push my way through the cypress groves and pine woods, my horse grows alert as we approach Makino Temple.”

5. 河内、第五番、葛井寺
Kawachi/ Dai go ban/ Fujii-dera
Kawachi, number five, Fuji-Temple

参るより　頼みをかくる　葛井寺　花のうてなに　紫の雲
Mairu yori/ tanomi o kakuro/ Fujii-dera/ hana no utena ni/ Murasaki no kumo.
“From the moment I come to worship, I place my trust in Fujii?dera; above the flower?throne rise the purple clouds.”

6. 大和、第六番、壺阪寺（Tsubosaka-dera）
Yamato/ Dai roku ban/ Tsubosaka-dera
Yamato, number six, Tsubosaka-Temple

岩をたて　水をたたえて　壺阪の　庭にいさごも　浄土なるらん
Iwa o tate/ mizu o tatae te/ Tsubosaka no/ niwa ni isago mo/ jodo naruran.
“With rocks set upright and waters gathered still, in the garden of Tsubosaka even the smallest pebbles must resemble the Pure Land.”

7. 大和、第七番、岡寺
Yamato/ Dai nana ban/ Oka-dera
Yamato, number seven, Oka-Temple

けさ見れば　つゆ岡寺の　庭の苔　さながら瑠璃の　光なりけり
Kesa mireba/ tsuyu Oka-dera no/ niwa no koke/ sanagara ruri no/ Hikari narikeri.
“Looking this morning, the dewy moss in the garden of Okadera shines as though it were the radiance of pure lapis lazuli.”

8. 大和、第八番、長谷寺
Yamato/ Dai Hachi ban/ Hase-dera
Yamato, number eight, Hase-Temple

いくたびも　参る心は　初瀬寺　山も誓いも　深き谷川
Ikutab imo/ mairu kokoro wa/ Hatsuse dera/ yama mo chikai mo/ fukaki Tanigawa.
“However many times my heart brings me here to worship at Hase?dera, both the mountains and the sacred vow are as deep as the valley stream.”

9. 南都、第九番、南圓堂 ( 興福寺)
Nanto/ Dai kyu ban/ Nan’endo (Kofuku-ji)
Nanto, number nine, South Octagonal Hall (of Kofuku-Temple)

春の日は　南円堂に　かがやきて　三笠の山に　晴るるうす雲
Haru no hi wa/ Nan’endo ni/ kagayaki te/ Mikasa no yam ani/ haruru usugumo
“On this spring day, the sunlight shines upon the Southern Octagonal Hall; over Mount Mikasa the thin clouds clear away.”

10. 山城、第十番、三室戸寺
Yamashiro/ Dai ju ban/ Mimuroto-ji
Yamashiro, number ten, Mimuroto-Temple

夜もすがら　月を三室戸　わけゆけば　宇治の川瀬に　立つは白波
Yom o sugara/ tsuki o mimuro do/ wakeyuke ba/ uji no Kawase ni/ tatsu shiranami.
“All through the night, passing through Mimuroto by the moon, as I make my way on, in the shallows of the Uji River, what rises are white waves.”

11. 山城、十壹播、醍醐寺
Yamashiro/ Ju ichi ban/ Daigo-ji
Yamashiro, number eleven, Daigo-Temple

逆縁も もらさですくふ 願ぐはんなれば 順礼道は たのもしきかな
Gyakuen mo/ morasade suku/ negai nareba/ junreimichi wa/ tanomo shiki kana
“Since the vow is to save even those bound by adverse karma without leaving a single one behind, how reassuring it is to walk this pilgrim road.”

12. 江州、十二番、岩間寺
Goshu/ Ju ni ban/ Iwama-dera
Goshu, number twelve, Iwama-Temple

みなかみは　いづくなるらん　岩間寺　岸うつ波は　松風の音
Minakami wa/ izuku naruran/ Iwama dera/ kishi utsu nami wa/ matsukaze no oto.
“Where has the river’s source gone, I wonder? At Iwama?dera, the waves striking the
shore sound no different from wind through the pines.”

13. 江州、十三番、石山寺
Goshu/ Ju san ban/ Ishiyama-dera
Goshu, number thirteen, Ishiyama-Temple

後の世を　願う心は　かろくとも　ほとけの誓い　おもき石山
Nochi no yo o/ negau Kokoro wa/ kakuro tomo/ hotoke no chikai/ omoki Ishiyama.
“Even if my wish for the world to come is light, the Buddha’s vow is weighty as the sacred stones of mighty Ishiyama.”

14. 江州、十四番、三井寺
Goshu/ Ju yon ban/ Mii-dera
Goshu, number fourteen, Mii-Temple

いで入るや　波間の月を　三井寺の　鐘のひびきに　あくる湖
Ideiru ya/ nami ma no matsu o/ Mii-dera no/ kane no hibiki ni/ akuru mizuumi.
“As I set out, the moon between the waves lights my way— and with the bell of Miidera”

15. 山城、十五番、今熊野（観音寺）
Yamashiro/Ju go ban/ Ima Kumano (Kannon-ji)
Yamashiro, number fifteen, Ima Kumano (Kannon-Temple)

昔より　立つとも知らぬ　今熊野　仏の誓い　あらたなりけり
Mukashi yori/ tatsutomo shiranu/ Imakumano/ hotoke no chikai/ arata narikeri.
“Though from ancient times no one has known its rising, at Imakumano the Buddha’s vow reveals itself renewed and ever?fresh.”

16. 山城、十六番、清水寺
Yamashiro/ Ju roku ban/ Kiyomizu-dera
Yamashiro, number sixteen, Kiyomizu-Temple

松風や　音羽の滝の　清水を　むすぶ心は　涼しかるらん
Matsukaze ya/ Otowa no taki no/ Kiyomizu o/ musubu Kokoro wa/ shizukaruran.
“The pine breeze and the pure waters of Otowa Falls— how cool the heart that gathers them together in a single, mindful cup.”

17. 山城、十七番、六波羅（蜜）寺
Yamashiro/ Ju shichi ban/ Rokuharamitsu-dera
Yamashiro, number seventeen, Rokuharamitsu-Temple

重くとも　五つの罪は　よもあらじ　六波羅堂へ　参る身なれば
Omoku tomo/ itsutsu no tsumi wa/ yomo araji/ Rokuharado e/ mairu mi nareba
“However heavy the burden of the five grave sins, surely they cannot remain— for this body now makes pilgrimage to the Hall of Rokuhara”

18. 山城、十八番、六角堂
Yamashiro/ Ju hachi ban/ Rokkaku-do
Yamashiro, number eighteen, Rokkaku-Hall

わが思う　心のうちは　六の角　ただ円かれと　祈るなりけり
Waga omou/ Kokoro no uchi wa/ mutsu no kado/ tada en kare to/ inoru nari keri.
“Within my heart, whatever sharp corners remain— all six of them— may they be rounded smooth; this is the prayer I offer.”

19. 山城、十九番、（行願寺）革堂
Yamashiro/ Ju kyuu ban, Ko-do (Gyogan-ji)
Yamashiro, number nineteen, Ko-Hall (Gyogan-Temple)

花を見て　いまは望みも　革堂の　庭の千草も　盛りなるらん
Hana o mite/ ima wa Nozomi o/ Kodo no/ niwa no chigusa mo/ sakari naruran
“Gazing on the flowers, now all my wishes fade— for in the courtyard of Kōdō every herb and blossom must surely be in full bloom.”

20. 山城、二十番、善峯寺
Yamashiro/ Ni ju ban/ Yoshimine-dera
Yamashiro, number twenty, Yoshimine-Temple

野をもすぎ　山路に向かう　雨の空　善峯よりも　晴るる夕立
No o mo sugi/ amaji ni mukau/ ame no sora/ Yoshimine yorimo/ haruru yudachi.
“Past the open fields I turn toward the mountain path— rain clouds overhead; yet from Yoshimine the sudden shower”

21. 丹波、廿壹番、穴太寺
Tanba/Ni ju ichi ban/ Anao-ji
Tanba, number twenty-one, Anao-Temple

かかる世に　生まれあう身の　あな憂やと　思わで頼め　十声一声
Kakaru y oni/ umare au mi no/ ana u yato/ omowade tanome/ hitoe hitokoe
“In such a world to be born and live this life— ah, how sorrowful… Yet do not despair— trust in the Ten Recitations, even one.”

22. 攝州、廾二番、総持寺
Sesshu/ Ni ju ni ban/ Soji-ji
Sesshu, number twenty-two, Soji-Temple

おしなべて　老いも若きも　総持寺の　ほとけの誓い　頼まぬはなし
Oshinabete/ oi mo wakaki mo/ Soji-ji no/ hotoke no chikai/ namomanu wa nashi.
“All alike— the old and the young as well— none fail to rely on the Buddha’s solemn vow”

23. 摂刕（摂州）、廾三番、勝尾寺
Sesshu/Ni ju san ban/ Katsuo-ji
Sesshu, number twenty-three, Katsuo-Temple

重くとも　罪には法の　勝尾寺　ほとけを頼む　身こそやすけれ
Omoku tomo/ tsumi niwa nori no/ Katsuo-dera/ hotoke o tanomu/ mikoso yasukere.
“However heavy the weight of all my sins may be, at Katsuo?ji the Dharma overcomes them— trusting the Buddha, the heart finds peace.”

24. 摂州、廾四番、中山寺
Sesshu/ Ni ju yon ban/ Nakayama-dera
Sesshu, number twenty-four, Nakayama-Temple

野をも過ぎ　里をも行きて　中山の　寺へ参るは　後の世のため
No o mo sugi/ sato o mo yukite/ Nakayama mo/ tera e mairu wa/ nochi no yono tame.
“Past the open fields, through the village roads I go— for to visit the temple of Nakayama is to prepare for the world to come.”

25. 播州、廾五番、清水寺
Banshu/ Ni ju go ban/ Kiyomizu-dera
Banshu, number twenty-five, Kiyomizu-Temple

あわれみや　普き門の　品々に　なにをか波の　ここに清水
Aware mi ya/ amaneki kado no/ shinajina ni/ nani o kanami no/ koko ni Kiyomizu.
“Compassion flows through every one of the Buddha’s many gates— what need have I of others, when here at Seisui the waters themselves are pure.”

26. 播州、廾六番、法華寺（一乗寺）
Banshu/ Ni ju roku ban/ Hokke-ji (Ichijyo-ji)
Banshu, number twenty-six, Hokke-Temple (Ichiyo-Temple

春は花　夏は橘　秋は菊　いつも妙なる　法の華山
Haru wa hana/ natsu wa Tachibana/ aki wa kiku/ itsumo tae naru/ nori no hanayama.
“Spring brings blossoms, summer the fragrant tachibana, autumn the chrysanthemum— yet always wondrous are the blossoms of Dharma on sacred Hanayama.”

27. 播州、廾七番、書写寺（圓教寺）
Banshu/ Ni ju shichi ban/ Shoshazan (Engyoji Temple)
Banshu, number twenty-seven, Shoshazan (Engyo-Temple)

はるばると　のぼれば書寫の　山おろし　松のひびきも　御法なるらん
Harubaru to/ nobore ba Shosha no/ yama oroshi/ matsu no hibiki mo/minori naruran.
“From far below I climb at last to Shosha’s heights— the mountain wind; even the sound through the pines seems to speak the Buddha’s Law.”

28. 丹後、廾八番、成相寺
Tango/ Ni ju Hachi ban/ Nariai-ji
Tango, number twenty-eight, Nariai-Temple

波の音　松のひびきも　成相の　風ふきわたす　天の橋立
Nami no oto/matsu no hibiki mo/ Nariai no/kaze fuki watasy/ Ama-no-hashidate.
“The sound of waves, the whisper of the pines— all of it carried by the wind that sweeps across Amanohashidate at Nariai.”

29. 丹後、廾九番、松尾寺
Tango/ Dai ni ju ku ban/ Matsunoo-dera
Tango, number twenty-nine, Matsunoo-Temple

そのかみは　幾世経ぬらん　便りをば　千歳もここに　松の尾の寺
Sono kami wa/ ikuyo henurann/ tayori oba/ chitose mo koko ni/ Matsunoo-dera.
“In ancient days— how many ages must have passed? Yet still the tidings remain here at Matsuo?dera, enduring through a thousand years.”

30. 江州、三十番、竹生嶋（宝厳寺Hogon ji）
Goshu/ San ju ban/ Chikubu-jima (Hogonji)
Goshu, number thirty, Chikubu-jima (Hogon-Temple)

月も日も　波間に浮かぶ　竹生島　船に宝を　積むここちして
Tsuki mo himo/namima ni ukabu/ Chikubujima/ fune ni Takara o/tsumu kokochi shite.
“Moon and sun alike seem to float upon the waves around Chikubu?shima— as though my boat were laden with treasures of the Buddha.”

31. 江州、三十一番、長命寺
Goshu/ Sanju ichi ban/ Chomei-ji
Goshu, number thirty-one, Chomei-Temple

八千年や　柳に長き　命寺　運ぶ歩みの　かざしなるらん
Yachitose ya/Yanagi nii nagaki/ inochi dera/ hakobu Ayumi no/ Kazashi naruran.
“Eight thousand years— so long the willow’s life endures; at Enmei?ji may each step I take become a token of long?lasting fortune.”

32. 江州、三十二番、観音（正）寺（Kannonsho-ji）
Goshu/ San ju ni ban/ Kannon (sho)-ji
Goshu, number thirty-two, Kannon (sho)-Temple

あなとうと　導きたまえ　観音寺　遠き国より　運ぶ歩みを
Ana tou to. Michibiki tamae/ Kannon-ji/ tooki kuni yori/ hakobu Ayumi o.
“Oh, how sacred— guide me with your compassion, O Kannon?ji; for from a distant land I have carried my steps to you.”

33. 美濃、三十三番、谷汲寺（華厳寺）
Mino/ Sanju san ban/ Tanigumi-dera (Kegon-ji)
Mino, number thirty-three, Tanigumi-Temple (Kegon-Temple)

万世の　願いをここに　納めおく　水は苔より　出る谷汲
Yorozu yo no/ negai o kokoni/ osame oku/ mizu wa koke yori/ izuru Tanigumi.
“For ten?thousand ages may all our heartfelt prayers be entrusted here; from moss?born springs the water flows— this is sacred Tanigumi.”