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Reliquary, Cintamani (sacred jewel) in flame type

Kamakura period, 13th-14th century

Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo, Japan

This is a reliquary in an unusual form: A rinpo (wheel) and a gokosho (a short club used in Esoteric Buddhist rituals) are placed on the podium, on which a silver-plated copper container for Buddha’s bones (busshari) is enshrined on a lotus pedestal, which is placed within a circle. It is said that placing a busshari on a kongosho (a gilt-bronze short club) follows the manner for Tathagata prescribed in the Kanmuryoju Sutra. Since a reliquary was used for contemplation in Esoteric Buddhism, it is also called busshari stupa in the form of a gem for esoteric contemplation. Among similar busshari stupas, this one stands out in technical excellence and grand shape.

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  • Title: Reliquary, Cintamani (sacred jewel) in flame type
  • Date Created: Kamakura period, 13th-14th century
  • Physical Dimensions: h530 mm
  • Object Title: 金銅火焔宝珠形舎利容器
  • Object Notes(Japanese): 基壇上に輪宝を乗せ、五鈷杵を立て、その上に銅製鍍銀の宝珠形舎利容器を円相内、蓮台上に奉安した特異な形式の舎利塔。金剛杵の上に仏舎利を安置するのは観法無量寿如来作法次第によるものといい、密教の観想のために用いられたところから密観宝珠形舎利塔と呼ばれる。同類の舎利塔の中でも、作技がすぐれ、形も雄大である。
  • Object Date: 鎌倉時代・13~14世紀
  • Medium(Japanese): 銅製,鍍金
  • Type: Metalwork
  • External Link: http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100450
  • Medium: Gilt bronze
Tokyo National Museum

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