Bodhisattva

Although it was blackened in a fire, this little statue of the Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) is highly decorative and has design details that are characteristic of Hakuho period Buddhist statues.

The Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) stands on a lotus pedestal with the right leg slightly retracted. Two nails remain on the front of the three-plaque crown, suggesting that a seated transformed Buddha may originally have been attached there. The statue wears heavenly scarves over the shoulders, an undershirt-like upper garment, a skirt-like lower garment, and on top of these, multiple strands of chest ornaments and necklaces. The chest ornaments and necklaces are decorated with dot motifs, while the edges of the garments and lotus petals are adorned with doubled dot motifs. The Bosatsu and the lotus pedestal have been cast together as one piece, and the figure has been hollowed out through the head. Because it was involved in a fire, the surface is damaged, and we see no traces of gilding. Interesting designs decorate the crown, chest ornaments, and floral-shaped ornaments around the waist. Scrupulous attention has also been paid to even the back of the statue that would be hidden by the halo, including such details as the ribbon tied behind the head and the floral decorations on the waist. The palmette motif carved into the lower petals of the lotus pedestal is the same as that seen in the Amida Triad of the Lady Tachibana Shrine at Horyu-ji. (Writer : Tamon Takase Source : Selected Masterpieces from The University Art Museum, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music: Grand Opening Exhibition, The University Art Museum, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, 1999)