Art historians in Japan have identified a statue of Kannon (観音; Skt: Avalokiteshvara; Ch: Guanyin) the bodhisattva of compassion and mercy, housed at Takisan-ji, a seventh-century Buddhist temple in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, as most likely being the work of the acclaimed Kamakura period (1185–1333) sculptor Kaikei.
The 50-centimeter sculpture of a standing 11-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, which is carved from wood, decorated with gold leaf, and mounted on a pedestal, is notably similar to other works attributed to the acclaimed artist, Atsushi Aoki, professor of Japanese art history at Tama Art University in Tokyo, told The Asahi Shimbun newspaper on 20 May.
The bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara embodies the compassion of all buddhas and is venerated in almost all Buddhist traditions. Some representations of Avalokiteshvara are depicted with 11 heads or faces to better bear witness to the multitude of suffering of all sentient beings.
Prof. Aoki examined the Kannon statue during a two-year study of some 20 sculptures in Japan that are believed to be extant works by Kaikei. The investigation, which included X-ray scans of the statue, uncovered a recess at the back of the statue’s head inside which offerings could be placed—a characteristic similar to other artifacts attributed to Kaikei. X-ray imaging also revealed three eight-centimeter scrolls contained inside the sculpture’s legs, another common feature of Kaikei’s work.
“It was so exciting to peek into the inside of the sculpture. It was like a time capsule,” said Prof. Aoki, noting that the distinguishing characteristics indicated that the statue was most likely created by Kaikei, or possibly a sculptor in his studio. (The Asahi Shimbun)
Kaikei (fl. 1183–1236), a Japanese Busshi or Buddhist sculptor, lived during the tumultuous start of the Kamakura period, when political power in Japan shifted from aristocratic rule in the west (Kyoto, Nara) to the shogunate in Kamakura in the east. The period is also notable for the flourishing of Buddhism across the country—in particular Zen Buddhism and the Jōdo-shū branch of Pure Land Buddhism—and the emergence of the samurai the warrior caste. This politically and socially turbulent period was also a high point in the history of Japanese sculpture, as artists began incorporating stylistic and technical innovations that resulted in a level of realism not previously seen. Sculptors of the era also began signing their work, enabling the evolution of styles by individuals and workshops to be traced and documented. Sculptors in the 18th century could trace their artistic lineages back to early Kamakura masters.
Kaikei was a member of the Kei-ha school, which was founded by his teacher Kokei and became the dominant sculptural school until the 14th century. It specialized in sculpting statues of the Buddha and other important Buddhist figures. The most famous Busshi from the Kei-ha school was Kaikei’s contemporary and Kokei son Unkei. Kaikei’s sculptural style is frequently noted for its realism, grace, and elegance. Kaikei later became a Buddhist monk, taking the Dharma name Anami Butsu. For this reason his sculptural style is known as the Anami style.
Buddhism and Shinto are the two most widespread religious traditions in Japan, with 79.2 per cent of the population identifying as practicing Shinto and 66.8 per cent identifying as Buddhists, indicating a high level of overlap between the two traditions, although, paradoxically, a majority of Japanese also identify as atheists for a number of cultural reasons. Christians represent 1.5 per cent of the population, while other religions make up a combined 7.1 per cent, according to data for 2017. The most popular schools of Buddhism are Nichiren, Pure Land, Shingon, and Zen.
Ancient Kannon statue likely the work of master sculptor Kaikei (The Asahi Shimbun)
"Wanafalsafa wa sanaa nchini Japani wamegundua sanamu ya Kannon (Skt: Avalokiteshvara, Ch: Guanyin), bodhisattva wa huruma na huruma, iliyoko Takisan-ji, hekalu la Buddha la karne ya saba katika Jimbo la Aichi, Japani, kama uwezekano mkubwa kuwa kazi ya msanii maarufu wa kipindi cha Kamakura (1185-1333) Kaikichi.""" Sanamu ya Kannon Bodhisattva ya mita 50 iliyochongwa kutoka mbao, iliyopambwa kwa majani ya dhahabu, na iliyowekwa kwenye pedestal, ni sawa na kazi nyingine zinazohusishwa na msanii huyo maarufu, Atsushi Aoki, profesa wa historia ya sanaa ya Kijapani katika Chuo Kikuu cha Sanaa cha Tokyo, aliiambia gazeti la Asahi Shimbun mnamo Mei 20. Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara huwakilisha huruma ya Buddha wote na anaheshimiwa katika karibu mapokeo yote ya Kibuddha. Baadhi ya maonyesho ya Avalokiteshvara yanaonyesha vichwa au nyuso kumi na moja ili kushuhudia vizuri zaidi mateso mengi ya viumbe wote wenye hisia. Aoki alichunguza sanamu ya Kannon wakati wa utafiti wa miaka miwili wa sanamu 20 hivi nchini Japani ambazo zinaaminika kuwa kazi zilizopo za Kaikei. Uchunguzi huo, ambao ulijumuisha uchunguzi wa X-ray wa sanamu hiyo, ulifunua sehemu ya nyuma ya kichwa cha sanamu hiyo ambayo ndani yake matoleo yangeweza kuwekwa - sifa inayofanana na vitu vingine vya kale vinavyohusianishwa na Kaikei. Picha za X-ray pia zilionyesha vitabu vitatu vya sentimita nane vilivyo ndani ya miguu ya sanamu hiyo, jambo jingine la kawaida katika kazi ya Kaikei. <unk>Ilikuwa yenye kusisimua sana kutazama ndani ya sanamu hiyo. "Ilikuwa kama ""kapsuli ya wakati,"" alisema Profesa Aoki, akibainisha kwamba sifa za kutofautisha zilionyesha kwamba sanamu hiyo ilitengenezwa na Kaikei, au labda mchongaji katika studio yake." (The Asahi Shimbun) Kaikei (fl. 1183-1236 - Mtaalamu wa sanaa wa Bushitō, ambaye aliishi wakati wa kipindi cha Kamakura, wakati nguvu za kisiasa zilipobadilika kutoka utawala wa aristocracy magharibi (Kyoto, Nara) hadi shogunate ya Kamakura mashariki. Kipindi hicho pia ni cha kuvutia kwa kusitawi kwa Ubudha nchini kote - haswa Ubudha wa Zen na tawi la Jōdo-shū la Ubudha wa Nchi Safi - na kuibuka kwa samurai jamii ya wapiganaji. Kipindi hiki cha machafuko ya kisiasa na kijamii pia kilikuwa hatua ya juu katika historia ya sanamu ya Kijapani, kwani wasanii walianza kuingiza ubunifu wa mtindo na kiufundi ambao ulisababisha kiwango cha uhalisi ambacho hakikuonekana hapo awali. Wasanii wa wakati huo pia walianza kutia sahihi kazi zao, na hivyo kuwezesha maendeleo ya mitindo ya watu binafsi na warsha kufuatiliwa na kuandikwa. Wasanii wa karne ya 18 walianza kazi zao za uchongaji katika eneo la Kamakura. Kaikei alikuwa mwanachama wa shule ya Kei-ha, ambayo ilianzishwa na mwalimu wake Kokei na ikawa shule kuu ya uchongaji hadi karne ya 14. Lilikuwa na ustadi wa kuchonga sanamu za Buddha na sanamu nyingine muhimu za Kibuddha. Busshi maarufu zaidi kutoka shule ya Kei-ha alikuwa Kaikei's contemporary na Kokei mwana Unkei. Mtindo wa sanamu wa Kaikei mara nyingi hujulikana kwa uhalisi wake, neema, na uzuri. Baadaye Kaikei akawa mtawa wa Kibuddha, akichukua jina la Dharma Anami Butsu. Kwa sababu hiyo mtindo wake wa uchongaji unajulikana kama mtindo wa Anami. Ubudha na Shinto ni dini mbili za kawaida nchini Japani, na asilimia 79.2 ya watu wanajiita Shinto na asilimia 66.8 wanajiita Wabuddha, ikionyesha kiwango cha juu cha kuingiliana kati ya mapokeo mawili, ingawa, kwa kushangaza, wengi wa Wajapani pia hujitambulisha kama wasioamini kuna Mungu kwa sababu kadhaa za kitamaduni. Wakristo ni asilimia 1.5 ya idadi ya watu, huku dini nyingine zikifanyiza asilimia 7.1 kwa pamoja, kulingana na takwimu za 2017. Shule maarufu zaidi za Ubudha ni Nichiren, Nchi Safi, Shingon, na Zen. Sanamu ya kale ya Kannon ambayo yaelekea ilitengenezwa na mchongaji mkuu Kaikei (The Asahi Shimbun)