本文へジャンプ

湯川村

文字サイズ

 

背景色

現在位置:HOMEの中の教育・文化の中のShojoji List of National ImportaからCarving (National Important Cultural Asset) 2

Carving (National Important Cultural Asset) 2

Jyuuichimen kannon (The 11-faces/manifestations of Kannon)
国指定文化財

An important cultural asset
(designated April 15, 1903)

Jyuuichimen kannon (The 11-faces/manifestations of Kannon)In contrast to the other statues of Shojoji, which are all made of zelkova wood, this statue of the 11 faced kannon was originally made of Japanese cypress, and its later restorations were made of another unidentifiable wood. Compared to the body, the head of this statue appears to be a bit too small, emphasizing the gentle form of its graceful mid- section.
After the Healing Buddha was moved from the Great Hall to the Buddha hall in the early 1400s, this statue of the Jyuuichimen kannon appears to have been the principal image of the Great Hall until the modern ages when the hall was destroyed in a fire. The statue was rescued from that fire, but not before its face was seriously damaged. In addition to that fire, the statue sustained serious damage from insects and dry rot, and has undergone much restoration throughout its history. The contrast between the halo, for example, and the rest of the statue is striking due to the difference in technique used in its later reconstruction. Additionally, the ten other faces in her crown, the vase she is holding, the lotus pedestal, and both arms have either been remade or restored.
returns to the list



Sei kannon (Saintly Kannon) 
国指定文化財

An important cultural asset
(designated April 5, 1927)

Sei kannon (Saintly Kannon)Made from the trunk of a single zelkova tree, this is an excellent work that demonstrates the highly refined skills of its sculptor. An interesting example of this is the sculptor's primitive attempt to create the effect of ripples in kannon's garment by using wave-shaped ripples, a characteristic of early pre-Heian statues. The care taken in the balance and proportion of the statue's body, its graceful features and flowing lines, demonstrate the influence of the earlier Tempyou style.  It is interesting to note that the lotus dais on which kannon now stands is a bit too large. The original lotus pedestal appears to have been lost and replaced with the pedestal of another statue.
returns to the list


Kokuuzou bosatsu (The Bodhisattva of the Heavenly Sky) 
国指定文化財

An important cultural asset
(designated April 6, 1929)

Kokuuzou bosatsu (The Bodhisattva of the Heavenly Sky)Carved from a single tree, this statue's face, reworked in later ages, compares poorly to the faces of various other statues of Kokuuzou bosatsu from its time, but its body is among the best. It is not known how long this statue has been called the Kokuuzou bosatsu, but its pose traditionally signifies one who is living in heaven, which gave rise to its name. In the old records, it seems that this statue was referred to, for a while, as the statue of Benzaiten, alluding to the Hindu goddess of the rivers, Sarasvati. The lotus stand is also an original and is in excellent condition.
returns to the list



Jizou bosatsu (The Bodhisattva Jizo) 
国指定文化財

An important cultural asset
(designated April 6, 1929)

Jizou bosatsu (The Bodhisattva Jizo)This statue dates back to the early Heian period. However, the technique used  in Jizo's robe is reminiscent of the earlier elegance of the Tempyou style. Similarly, the merciful and tender baby-like face is also characteristic of an earlier time. This statue of Jizo is popularly nicknamed Amefuri Jizo, or the "rain Jizo," because until the early Taishou era it was the principal image used in prayers for rain. In drought years, the statue was placed on the island in the front pond where a kansuikuyou mass was held, and water was sprinkled over its head in a prayer for rain. Its use in this ritual ended in 1923, when it was designated a cultural asset and therefore protected from such activities.
returns to the list


Jizou bosatsu (The Bodhisattva Jizo) 
国指定文化財

An important cultural asset
(designated April 5, 1927)

Jizou bosatsu (The Bodhisattva Jizo)Despite rather poor restoration of the face, this is another excellent work of the early Heian period. As with Shojoji's other statue of Jizo (the Amefuri Jizo), the one-piece robe's carving technique is believed to be in the Tempyou tradition.
returns to the list