Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara

Bronze
Total H: 39.0, H of statue: 32.7
Nara period　8th century

Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara
  • H030286
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_0
  • H030286
  • 2015/05/28
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_1
  • H030287
  • 2015/05/28
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_2
  • H030288
  • 2015/05/28
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_3
  • H030289
  • 2015/05/28
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_4
  • H030290
  • 2015/05/28
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_5
  • H030291
  • 2015/05/28
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_6
  • H030292
  • 2015/05/28
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_7
  • H030293
  • 2015/05/28
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_8
  • H016382
  • 2012/03/15
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_9
  • H016384
  • 2012/03/15
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_10
  • D003778
  • 1992/07/20
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_11
  • A024187
  • 1992/07/20
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_12
  • A020873
  •  
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_13
  • A020874
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Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_14
  • A020875
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Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_15
  • A020876
  •  
Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_16
  • A020877
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Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara_17
  • A020878
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This statue is identified as Kannon (Skt. Avalokiteśvara) on the basis of the transformation Buddha (kebutsu) at the top of its head. It holds a wish-fulfilling jewel (Skt. cintāmaṇi; J. hōju) in its right hand in a gesture seen as well in two other images of the same scale. The beaded ribbons affixed to the crown drape down to the shoulders and back to form an S-shape, a stylistic element found in wooden statues of the Nara period (710–794). The image comes from Ishanain Temple in Mitoyo, Kagawa.
 
YAMAGUCHI RyusukeEnglish by Mary Lewine 
Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, p.348, no.44. 

The sculpture is sublime, showing relatively large head. The sacred jewel was held on the right hand and the beaded ornament was drooped on the left hand. It is distinctive that the hem of inner garment (kun) was folded in triangle and the swirling robe was draped on the lotus pedestal. It is said to have come from Ishanain Temple in Mitoyo city, Kagawa Prefecture.
 
Yasuo Inamoto 
Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2010, p.137, no.160. 

The large crown of this statue is rimmed with the design of palmettos, and a small Buddhist figure is described on the front ornament of the crown. The statue is standing on a thick lotus seat with its waist slightly twisted to the right. It is holding a bead in its right hand and touching the rosary with its left hand. The upper half of the body including the head, shoulders, and arms is larger than the lower half, but the drapes hanging from both of the arms balance the proportion of the whole body. Many ornaments on the head, on the breast and around the neck decorate the figure. Flowing drapes are represented over the flap of the costume. The strings hanging from both sides of the crown meander over the shoulders, which is an excellent arrangement. These expressions remind us of the statue of the nine-headed Kannon in Hōryū-ji temple in Nara and the statue of the eleven-headed Kannon in Shinpuku-ji temple in Yamaguchi prefecture, both of which were brought from China. This Kannon-bosatsu is one of the extant gilt-bronze Buddhist statues which clearly reflect the influence of the Chinese statues during the Tang dynasty. 
Masterpieces of Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1993, p.11, no.2. 

Accession Number 952-0
Category Sculptures
Bibliography Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum, 2022, 194p. Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, 354p. Hakuhō, the First Full Flowering of Buddhist Art in Japan : Special Exhibition Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Nara National Museum. 2015, 298p. (Japanese) Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2013, 168p. 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. Masterpieces from the Collection of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1997, 350p. (Japanese) Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Nara National Museum: Sculptures. Nara National Museum, 1989, 111p. (Japanese)

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