Mount Kailash, a 6,656 meter peak in western Tibet, is worshiped as a holy place in fourdifferent religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon, the indigenous religion of Tibet. Izu shot this photograph along the pilgrimage route to the mountain, camping out for two days at the place where the north face of Kailash can be seen beyond the numerous snow-covered Mani stones left by passing pilgrims. Izu traveled with a custom-made 300-pound camera to expose specially made 13×19 inch negatives, printing the image directly on watercolor paper of the same dimensions; he then finishes the work with a hand-brushed coating of palladium/platinum. Izu’s photographic journey through the Himalayas builds on his career-long travels through sacred sites and ancient monuments, begun in Egypt in 1979 and taking him to Syria,Jordan, England, Scotland, Mexico, and Easter Island, as well as across Asia.

Artwork Details

Title
Kailash #75
Artist
Kenro Izu
Medium
Platinum palladium print
Origin
Tibet
Classification(s)
photographs
Date
2000
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin
Object number
C2015.1.1
Published references
* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014). Pp. 114-116

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Merit

Concepts

In Buddhism merit is accumulated through engaging in positive actions that lead to positive results, such as better rebirths. Buddhists gain merit by making offerings, donating to those in need, reciting mantras, and other good deeds.

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Sacred

Concepts

Buddhism teaches that all life is sacred and should be respected, as all sentient beings have the potential to attain enlightenment. This notion encourages a positive view and compassion for others.

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Devotion

Concepts

A virtuous feeling and deep respect toward an authentic teaching, teacher, or path. Buddhists believe that expansive study, analysis, and meditation are essential steps for cultivating a healthy and enduring devotion.

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Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

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