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Kofukuji Temple East Golden Hall: Manjusri Bodhisattva
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Kofukuji Temple East Golden Hall: Manjusri Bodhisattva
JAPAN, Nara; Kamakura period (1185–1333); Cypress wood; H: 93.9 cm
erence to the story of Manjusri’s visit to the sick Vimalakirti, during which the latter demonstrated his superior knowledge in debate. Created in the last half of the 12th century, this figure was listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
The statue was painted black and then gilded, while the long eyes are inlaid with jade. A small crown topped with a scripture case is balanced on his neatly arranged hair and he wears a painted monastic robe draped over armor. The figure sits in half lotus position on a seven-layered lotus throne supported by a lion, his hands gesticulating. An elaborately embellished floral aureole and mandorla back the work. |
