A silk kakemono (hanging scroll) painted in ink, colour, gold and kiriane (thinly cut gold leaf) with a Shō Kannon seated in kekka fuza (lotus position) on a lotus pedestal raised on a four-legged dais, holding a renge (red lotus) in her left hand. The right hand is in segan-in mudra, the gesture of dispensing favours for the well-being of the world. The head is adorned with kebutsu crown at the base of a tall top-knot and she is wearing an elaborately decorated necklace and armlets. Shō Kannon is the Sacred Form of Kannon, the model for all forms of Kannon and represents the pure, noble, sacred and holy. Worship of this deity originated in India between the 1st and 2nd century AD. She is also considered as one of the Six Manifestations of Kannon who protect the six realms of karmic rebirth. In this role, Shō Kannon brings salvation to those in the hell realm.