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Saidaiji Temple Ragaraja Hall: Ragaraja
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Saidaiji Temple Ragaraja Hall: Ragaraja
JAPAN, Nara; Kamakura period (1185–1333), dated 1247;By Zen'en; Cypress wood; H: 31.8 cm
The statue was assembled from cypress wood with eyes inlaid with semi-precious stones. The sculpture was made by Zen'en in 1247 and owes its fine state of preservation from being kept in a niche. It was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1924.
Ragaraja wears a lion's head nestled within bristling hair, a stole, and some jewelry. The right hands hold a lotus, an arrow and a five-pronged vajra, while the left hands hold a bell and a bow. The figure sits in full lotus position on a many-layered lotus throne supported on a vase and a circular base. The circular mandorla is a later addition and painted with a gray nimbus and aureole. |
