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May 25, 2012

Seated Buddha

Seated Buddha

如来坐像

1100s

Part of a set. See all set records

Japan, Heian period

(794–1185)

Gilded wood

Overall: 145.4 cm (57 1/4 in.); Figure: 88.2 cm (34 3/4 in.); Pedestal: 57.2 cm (22 1/2 in.)

Gift of Takako Setsu and her husband, Iwao, in memory of her father-in-law, Inosuke Setsu, and his long friendship with Sherman E. Lee 1973.85

Location

235B Japanese

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Did you know?

A 1906 photo taken at Kōfukuji shows this sculpture without a halo or left hand.

Description

Composed of a number of hollowed-out pieces of wood that were then covered with lacquer and gilding, this sculpture served as an image of worship in one of the small temples surrounding Kōfukuji, a major Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan. Like many Buddhas, this figure has its right hand positioned in a gesture meaning "fear not." The left hand is a replacement, so its original gesture, a clue to this Buddha's identity, is unknown. However, as the left foot is exposed over the garment, in lotus position, it may have been created as a Medicine Master Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai in Japanese, or the Buddha of our era, Shakyamuni.

Video

Japanese Art in 60 Seconds: Seated Buddha
Japanese Art in 60 Seconds: Seated Buddha
See also
Collection: 
Japanese Art
Department: 
Japanese Art
Type of artwork: 
Sculpture
Medium: 
Gilded wood
Credit line: 
Gift of Takako Setsu and her husband, Iwao, in memory of her father-in-law, Inosuke Setsu, and his long friendship with Sherman E. Lee

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