Shōtoku Taishi at Age Two

Description

Prince Shōtoku (574–632) has been celebrated in Japan over the centuries as foremost among early advocates of the practice of Buddhism following the religion’s introduction from the continent in the sixth century. Chronicles of his life relate that at the age of two, Shōtoku placed his hands together and chanted “I take refuge in the Buddha,” upon which a relic of the Buddha Sakyamuni—the left eye—appeared in his hands. Later in life, Prince Shōtoku became not only an important statesman, but also the founder of a number of Buddhist temples. By the medieval era, a cult devoted to Shōtoku had been established, and images of the apotheosized ruler commemorating specific events in his life proliferated in sculpted and painted form.

The statue was constructed by the assembled-wood-block (yosegi zukuri) technique. The pieces were glued together vertically, the joints covered with a glossy black lacquer, and then the figure was painted. Such statues are not only resistant to cracking, but have hollow interiors into which religiously significant objects can be placed. The statue has become blackened from repeated exposure to incense smoke,but bits of flesh tone and crimson paint remain in the ear and on the skirt. The head and body consist of two pieces each,one for the front and one for the back, as well as additional pieces for the bottom of the skirt. The eyes were inset with glass before the wood blocks were assembled. The arms are modern reconstructions.

The sculpture is carved in a manner that is stylistically similar to mid-thirteenth century works. A slight bulge at the stomach and protrusion of the knees are evident under the skirt. The skirt falls gently around the bare toes. The head is carefully shaped, and the features are portrayed with delicate attention to the rise and fall of the planes of the face. The realism of this sculpture is typical of images of the prince, as well as of Kamakura period sculpture in general.