Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteśvara)｜Nara National Museum

Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteśvara)

Bronze repousse
H: 22.9cm, W: 5.4cm, D: 0.3cm; H: 22.9cm, W: 5.3cm, D: 0.3cm
Nara period　8th century

D046545

D046545
2006/09/19

D046548
2006/09/19

D046550
2006/09/19

D046552
2006/09/19

D009746
1996/03/18

D018452

A029082
2006/09/19

A024747
1996/03/18

A024227

A024229

From the transformation bodies (J. kebutsu) of Amida Nyorai (Skt. Amitābha) in the crown of each of these bodhisattvas, both can be identified as Kannon (Skt. Avalokiteśvara). Two bodhisattva figures likewise realized through the repoussé technique resembling these ones appear as part of an Amida triad; they are the attendant bodhisattvas that flank Amida Nyorai (Skt. Amitābha) in a work found among the collection of Hōryūji Treasures at Tokyo National Museum (No. 202). It seems as though the two independent images of Kannon found here were made after a similar model as the attendant bodhisattvas of the triad from Hōryūji.
Audio guide

This cast bronze statue of Kannon with the large transformed Buddha (kebutsu) atop its head is a valuable example of repoussé Buddhas that were used to ornament the interior walls of temple halls. When repoussé images were produced, a bronze plate was laid atop of the matrix and the image was hammered out with a mallet.

Yasuo Inamoto
Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2010, p.137, no.161.

Accession Number	1145-0
Category	Sculptures
Bibliography	Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum, 2022, 194p. Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2013, 168p. Faith in Form and Figure: Encountering Buddhist Images. Nara National Museum, 2013, 148p. Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2012, 168p. Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2010, 160p. Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Nara National Museum: Supplement. Nara National Museum, 1999, 108p. (Japanese) Masterpieces from the Collection of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1997, 350p. (Japanese)