A VERY LARGE AND IMPORTANT PAINTED WOODCUT PRINT DEPICTING THE DEATH OF BUDDHA (NEHANZU) Japan, dated 1830 (Bunsei 13th year), Edo period (1615-1868) A very large and elaborately crafted hand-painted woodcut print depicting Nehanzu (the death of Buddha Shakyamuni, also known as paranirvana). The original woodcut was made by Matsubara Shogetsu in 1816 and was used as a template for this massive handcolored woodcut print. The coloring was commissioned by a group of eight votive donors (identified by name in an inscription to the back). The inscription in the lower center of the painting states that it is based on a treasure collection at the San'enji Temple which is better known as the Zojoji Temple, the Tokugawa shogunates' family temple (Bodaiji in Japanese), Edo (Tokyo). The two inscriptions in the back read: “the 16th of the Seventh month, the year of tiger, in the 13th year of the Bunsei era (1830). This is for the repose of the soul of the deceased (tsuizen kuyo in Japanese), Votive donors' names listed: Myorin-in, Keirin-in, Shokenin, Keikyo-in, Shojaku-in, Kyosho-in, Seishin-in, Chigen.” The work is a masterpiece utilizing two very different techniques. A massive (or many) woodblock(s) was required to craft this print. There are so many incredibly detailed figures and inscriptions that it would be simply impossibly to do this entirely by hand. The painting, as well, is of the highest quality. The painting shows Buddha in the center surrounded by beings from all dimensional planes, rakans, Bodhisattva, heavenly beings, figures of the underworld and animals, all coming together to mourn Buddha Shakyamuni's death. Painting only SIZE 176.4 x 96.6 cm, With mounting SIZE 250.5 x 126.2 cm Condition: Very good age-related condition - minor losses, creases, fading of colors, staining (as visible in the images provided). There are some water stains to the back, which are not visible in the front as the painting is backed on paper. Provenance: Collection of Irene and Wolfgang Zacke.