Buddhist Art

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses Japanese art, largely influenced by Zen Buddhism, which has left its mark in white and black ink art, buildings, gardens, and the graphics in the tea-ceremony rooms. The paper mentions the Horyu-ji Temple as the first and finest example of the use of Korean and Chinese Buddhism in Japan. The paper also makes reference to the art of Jomon culture and the Kofun or Tumulus period and notes that it was in the mid-sixth century that Buddhism reached Japan. The paper highlights the concepts of Buddhism and states that its culture was introduced by Korea into Japan. This began Japan's first cultural awakening and the history of what today is recognized as Japanese art.

From the Paper:

"The Shaka Triad is one of the oldest bronze images. It is located in the Golden Hall. It is six feet tall and was designed by the the famous sculptor Tori Busshi. Its image displays the Buddha Shakyamuni sitting between two Bodhisattvas. The Shaka has his legs crossed. His hands are placed in one of a number of mudras. "He has a protuberance on his head and a third eye that indicate extraordinary knowledge and vision and are among some twenty three bodily signs introduced by the Mahayana Buddhist to indicate [shaka's] superhuman qualities" (Varley, 1984:26). The empress Suiko asked Tori Busshi to make the statue after Shotoku Taishi, the leader of Horyu-ji, died. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bai, S. (2001) Notes on Visits to the Hoyuji Temple. Journal of East Archaelogy.
• Lee, E. Sherman (1994). A History of the Far Eastern Art. New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc, 1994.
• Mizuno, S. (1974). Asuka Buddhist Art: Horyu-ji. New York: Weatherhill.
• Popham, P. (1990) Wooden Temples of Japan. London: Tauris Parke Books, 1990.

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