Kalaviṅka is a fantastical immortal creature in Buddhism, with a human head and a bird's torso, with long flowing tail. The kalaviṅka is said to dwell in the Western pure land and reputed to preach the Dharma with its fine voice. It is said to sing while still unhatched within its eggshell. Its voice is a descriptor of the Buddha's voice. In Japanese text, it goes by various titles such as myōonchō, kōonchō among others. Edward H. Schafer notes that in East Asianreligious art the Kalaviṅka is often confused with the Kinnara, which is also a half-human half-bird hybrid mythical creature, but that the two are actually distinct and unrelated.
A well-known example is the pair of kalaviṅka carved in openwork onto a Buddhist hanging ornament called the keman, used in the golden hall of Chūson-ji temple in Iwate Prefecture. The kalaviṅka from this ornament was commemorated on a 120-yen definitive stamp issued Nov. 1, 1962. The pose and general appearance on this piece is similar to the ones seen on the octagonal pedestal of the same temple.
In another keman from the Tokugawa period, the creatures stand more bipedally erect and hence more humanlike.
In the ancient courtly dance performance Gagaku - karyobin is the name of dance expressive of the kalaviṅka, and is danced in pair with the kochō, a dance of butterfly motif. The paired dancing is called tsugai-mai.
Painted on the ceiling of Tōfuku-ji's Sanmon gate.
Painted on the ceiling of Myōshin-ji's Sanmon gate, normally not open to public.
The at 214 Mizusawa, in the former city ofIkaho, Gunma, Main Hall, front right ceiling, painting of a heavenly woman with eagle-like talons, anonymous.
Kawakami Sadayakko, billed as the first overseas Japanese actress, late in her life, built a villa located at Unumahōshakujichō, Kagamihara, Gifu. The villa was christened Banshōen by Itō Hirobumi, and the room with the Buddhist altar has a ceiling painting of kalaviṅka, which may be peered from outside.
The Tokyo-based Tsukumo Cycle Sports's brand is Kalavinka. Many of the bikes feature the Karyōbinga kanji as well as a head badge which features the image of the karyoubinga with the head of a bodhisattva bosatsu and the winged body of a bird.
