Origin: Japan, Circa: Edo Period, 1603-1867
H 8 in.(20cm), W 6 in.(15cm.), D 5 in.(12.5cm.)
Condition: crystal Inlay, abrasions, crack lines
Private Collection
Gilded
in gold on rich black dry lacquered over a joined blocks wood core, detailed with
crystal inlaid for the urna and glass-eyes inlaid, this rare Fugen Bosatsu (Sanskrit:
Samantabhadra) is both noble and austere. An excellent example of the Kamakura
sculpture and innovative hollow core wood carving technique developed by Jocho
of Heian in the 11th century. In style the graceful form of this Fugen Bosatsu
is alluded to the geometrical equilibrium in traditional Chinese design. The Buddha
has a delicate life-like feature, eyes down cast in serene meditation, large extended
eyebrows and hair arranged in protruding head-dress. He is seated in dhyanasana
with hands in blessing gesture; his join hands also served as a reminder of the
coexistence of the two inseparable principles of the Womb and Diamond, and the
reciprocal static and dynamic actions of spiritual and material planes. Judging
from the tarnished gold and gilt loss, and a couple of hairlines splits between
the joined sections due to time related wood shrinkage, the Fugen statue is tentatively
attributed to the early or mid Edo eras.