End Point of the Silk Road - The Canberra Nara Sister City 30TH Commemorative Event 2023

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Together with pursuing her research, Noriko Tanaka has been creating works of art. This piece is painted following the historic tradition of copying sutras by hand on Japanese paper dyed navy blue with gold paint. It represents the southern staircase of the Nigatsu-do Hall in the Tōdaiji temple complex in Nara.

Nowadays this staircase is so imbued in the subconscious of Nara's citizenry, that it hardly attracts attention. However, the staircase is an enigma shrouded in a long history. According to Tanaka's investigations, it dates back to the eighth century construction of the Hall. Its scripted carvings highlight scenes from the story of Sudhana's visit to Kannon Bosatsu (Goddess of Mercy), in a series of patterns. The story can be found in the one of Todaiji temple's most important sacred works the Gandavyūha Sutra (The Excellent Manifestation Sutra) in its 27th chapter. The Sutra was carried to Japan along the ancient Silk Road route. The distinction of the patterns have been brought from the Empire Sassanian Persia. Tanaka's investigations are progressing concerning, amongst other matters, the reconstruction subsequent to the setting fire incident, which is related in the Tale of Heike.

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