18th-century Japanese ink on paper hanging scroll painting depicting the bodhisattva Monju with five topknots sitting on a lotus pedestal atop a lion. The five topknots symbolize the five buddhas who embody five types of cognition. In this instance, Monju (Gokei Monju) represents Wisdom. The image is surrounded by brocaded floral silk.

Provenance: Gifted to Sammel Gamadia, a Methodist missionary, in 1956; Private Minnesota Collection.
Total length: 63 1/2 in x width: 29 in. Image; height: 48 1/2 in x width: 21 3/4 in.

The scroll is brittle. Throughout the scroll, heavy wear and several areas of loss are visible. There is soiling to the right center of the border. Different silks on the border are not completely glued with each other; please see the listing photo. No chipping along the margins. There are several areas of horizontal tears throughout the huaxin. There is a 3 inches long rip along the upper robe. The color has faded. When inspected under the UV light, there is no visible sign of restoration. From the verso, the paper is heavily toned; there is heavy soiling; there are several areas of tearing throughout.