A striking diptych by Kōno Bairei depicting the Shinto myth of Amaterasu and the death of the historical Buddha, rendered in traditional Nihonga style.

This diptych by Kōno Bairei presents two distinct narratives from Japanese cultural and religious history. The left panel depicts the Shinto myth of Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who retreated into a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The scene captures the moment deities gather to lure her out with music and dance, represented by a dark, atmospheric composition illuminated by gold accents. The right panel shifts to a Buddhist subject, illustrating the death of the historical Buddha. Here, a gathering of followers and animals mourns beneath a towering, craggy cliff face, rendered in a more muted, naturalistic palette typical of the Nihonga style.

Kōno Bairei was a prominent figure in the Kyoto art scene during the Meiji period. He studied under the Maruyama-Shijo school, which emphasised direct observation of nature alongside traditional techniques. These scrolls demonstrate his ability to balance precise detail with broader narrative themes. The contrast between the two panels is intentional: the left panel utilises a high-contrast, decorative approach, while the right panel employs a softer, more sombre tone to convey the gravity of the Buddha's passing. The mounting of these works on silk, complete with traditional brocade borders, reflects the formal presentation of such religious and mythological subjects in a domestic or temple setting.

Bairei was known for his bird-and-flower paintings, yet his capacity for large-scale narrative work is evident here. The composition of each scroll guides the viewer through the scene, from the celestial gathering on the left to the terrestrial mourning on the right. These works provide a window into the dual religious identity of Japan during the late nineteenth century, where Shinto mythology and Buddhist tradition coexisted within the artistic output of the era.