Seated Jie Daishi (慈恵大師坐像) is an anonymous wooden sculpture dated from 1286 depicting Jie Daishi (Priest Ryōgen), property of the Kongōrin-ji temple in Aishō, Shiga. It is designated an Important Cultural Property.[1]
| Seated Jie Daishi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Unknown |
| Year | 1286 (Kamakura period) |
| Type | Wooden sculpture, polychromy and inlaid crystal eyes |
| Dimensions | 83.3 cm (32.8 in) |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property |
| Location | Kongōrin-ji, Aishō, Shiga, Japan |
Ryōgen (912–985), also known as Jie Daishi, was the 18th chief abbot of Enryaku-ji, the head Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu. He is considered a restorer of the Tendai school of Mahayana Buddhism,[2] and credited for reviving Enryaku-ji.[3] It was Ryōgen's son Renmyo who requested the creation of a posthumous portrait of his father, in prayer for his rebirth in the Pure Land, the celestial realm in Mahayana Buddhism.[3]
The sculpture was created during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), an era famous for its sculpture. It is currently owned by the Kongōrin-ji temple, one of the three Koto Sanzan temples of the Tendai school.[4]
The sculpture is often on display in Room 3 of the Honkan (Japanese Gallery) of the Tokyo National Museum. The last time was from July 11 to October 1 of 2017.[5][1] It was previously on exhibit in 2014 (July 23 to August 31), [6] and in 2012 (April 24 to July 16).[7][8]
References
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- ^ a b "September 27, 2017 (Wed) Honkan". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
- ^ "Ryogen". Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
- ^ a b English display at the TNM
- ^ "Kongourinji Temple". Shiga Tourism Official Website. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
- ^ "August 1, 2017 (Tue) Honkan". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
- ^ "July 27, 2014 (Sun) Honkan". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
- ^ "May 1, 2012 (Tue) Honkan". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
- ^ "Buddhist Art: Heian - Muromachi period". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.