A PAIR OF PAINTINGS DEPICTING THE TAIZOKAI AND KONGOKAI MANDARAS, Japan, Edo Period, the Taizoko mandara or Garbhadhatu-mandala is depicting four hundred and fourteen Buddha's, bodhisattva and other mythical figures, the inner square containing an eight-petalled lotus flower showing the Dainichi or Vairocana Buddha occupying the centre, seated in vajrasana with the hands in dhyanamudra, surrounded by the four other tathagata Buddha's interlinked by the bodhisattvas Samantabhadra, Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Maitreya, surrounded by various sections or courts depicting a multitude of figures representing the phenomenal world, in a border with scrolling tendrils; and the Kongokai or Vajradhatu-mandala is showing nine different small rectangular courts with Mahavairocana at the upper register in the centre with both hands in the bodhyagrimudra, surrounded by eight comparable courts depicting many Buddhist figures and symbols, in a border with scrolling flowers. Both paintings represent the cosmos and are important teaching instruments in the Shingo school of Buddhism. The mandalas give concrete representations to the theories explained in the esoteric Mahavairocana-sutra and the Vajrashekhara-sutra. In Shingon Buddhism the transcendent Buddha Vairocana is the origin of all existence. He is the absolute Buddha and he is placed in both mandalas at the centre. All other beings who are considered to be manifestations of him are arranged around him. These include Buddha's, bodhisattvas, deities, heavenly kings and attendants. The so-called Womb or Garbhadhatu mandala represents the world of physical principle and form. All beings are manifestations of the Buddha's infinite compassion. The Diamond or Vajradhatu mandala represents the world of Buddha's absolute wisdom. Followers of the higher and esoteric meditations are supposed to make a mental journey through these nine courts in order to attain the knowledge that is hidden in them. However both worlds, here shown in two fine pairing mandalas, are in reality but one and should be seen merely as the two cardinal aspects of the infinite Buddha who is encompassing substance of the universe - Provenance: From a German private collection of Japanese art, acquired on 9th of October 1979 from Y. Tsuruki & Co., Inc in Kyoto, Japan - Minor, wear, parly rest., framed and glazed