12.2 Asuka period sculpture and painting

The Asuka period saw the rise of Buddhist art in Japan, with sculptors like Tori Busshi creating masterpieces in gilt bronze. The Shaka Triad and Kudara Kannon statues showcase the period's artistic prowess, blending Chinese and Korean influences with Japanese aesthetics.

Painting flourished too, with the Hōryū-ji temple murals and Tamamushi Shrine exemplifying the era's artistic achievements. These works demonstrate advanced techniques like fresco and lacquer painting, revealing the sophistication of early Japanese Buddhist art.

Buddhist Sculpture

Key Sculptors and Materials

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• Tori Busshi, a sculptor from the late 6th century to early 7th century, created some of the most significant Buddhist sculptures of the Asuka period
• Gilt bronze, an alloy of copper with a thin layer of gold, was commonly used for creating Buddhist sculptures during the Asuka period, giving the statues a lustrous and opulent appearance

Notable Sculptures

• Shaka Triad, a gilt bronze sculpture created by Tori Busshi in 623 CE, depicts the historical Buddha (Shaka) flanked by two bodhisattvas, Bhaisajyaguru and Amitabha
  • The triad is known for its naturalistic and humanistic portrayal of the Buddha, reflecting the influence of Chinese Northern Wei and Sui dynasty Buddhist art
  • The sculpture is housed in the Golden Hall (Kondō) of Hōryū-ji temple in Nara, Japan
• Kudara Kannon, a 7th-century gilt bronze statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kannon in Japanese), is another notable work of the Asuka period
  • The statue, believed to have been brought from the Korean kingdom of Baekje (Kudara in Japanese), exhibits a graceful and elegant pose, with elongated proportions and flowing drapery
  • The Kudara Kannon is housed in the Hōryū-ji temple and is considered a masterpiece of early Japanese Buddhist art
• Mandorla, a almond-shaped aureole or halo surrounding the entire body of a divine figure, is a common feature in Asuka period Buddhist sculptures
  • The mandorla symbolizes the divine light and power emanating from the Buddha or bodhisattva
  • Examples of sculptures with mandorlas include the Shaka Triad and the Kudara Kannon

Buddhist Painting

Hōryū-ji Murals

• The murals in the Golden Hall (Kondō) of Hōryū-ji temple, dating back to the 7th century, are some of the oldest surviving examples of Buddhist painting in Japan
  • The murals depict various Buddhist deities, such as the Amida Buddha, Kannon Bodhisattva, and the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō)
  • The paintings showcase the influence of Chinese and Korean Buddhist art styles, with vibrant colors, linear outlines, and flattened forms
• The murals were executed using the fresco technique, where pigments are applied to wet plaster, allowing the colors to become an integral part of the wall surface
  • The use of the fresco technique in the Hōryū-ji murals demonstrates the advanced artistic skills and knowledge of the Asuka period painters

Tamamushi Shrine

• The Tamamushi Shrine, a miniature wooden shrine dating back to the 7th century, is another significant example of Asuka period Buddhist painting
  • The shrine is named after the iridescent wings of the tamamushi beetle, which were used to decorate the surface of the shrine
  • The paintings on the shrine depict Buddhist scenes, such as the Amida Buddha and the Western Paradise, as well as secular themes, like courtly life and architecture
• The Tamamushi Shrine showcases the technique of painting on wood, using a combination of pigments, lacquer, and gold leaf
  • The intricate details and the use of perspective in the paintings demonstrate the advanced artistic techniques employed by Asuka period painters
• The shrine is housed in the Hōryū-ji temple and is considered a masterpiece of early Japanese Buddhist art, showcasing the synthesis of Buddhist themes with indigenous Japanese artistic traditions