On February 15th, the anniversary of the death of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, a Nirvana painting depicting the Buddha's passing was unveiled at the Kyodo Hall of Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. Worshippers clasped their hands and offered candles to commemorate the virtues of the Buddha, also known as the Buddha's founder.

A memorial service held in the sutra hall of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, where a painting of Nirvana is displayed (Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City)

The Nirvana painting, measuring approximately four meters in height and three meters in width, was created by Yamaguchi Sekkei (1643-1732), a painter of the Edo period Kano school. It depicts Buddha lying beneath a sal tree on a full moon night, surrounded by his disciples and animals.

Part of a painting of Nirvana by Yamaguchi Seskei from the early 18th century, during the Edo period (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City)

A memorial service will be held at around 9:00 a.m. on February 15, 2026, with seven monks, including Chief Priest Mori Seihan, chanting sutras. A 63-year-old woman from Otsu City said, "I thought the chanting and scattering of flowers were wonderful. I was immersed in a solemn world."

The memorial service will only be held on the first day. The Nirvana painting can be viewed freely from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until February 23rd.