[How to Recognize a Buddhist Statue]
Nara National Museum is located in Nara Park and has four galleries. The pamphlet had a colorful cover with cute illustrations. But to my surprise, I found the pamphlet to be a great eye-opener, summarizing the main points in concise, easy-to-understand language. It is called “Distinguish the Four Groups of Buddha Statues by Their Forms!” It is a book that, once you read it, will enable you to distinguish Buddhist statues by their clothing, hairstyle, and various other characteristics. It is a book that will surely make your future appreciation of Buddhist statues more enjoyable and make you wish you had come across it sooner.
Buddha images are divided into four groups: “Nyorai,” “Bodhisattva,” “Myo-o,” and “Deva .”
The “Nyorai” group is based on the image of Buddha Shakyamuni, who became a Buddha after completing ascetic training. They are characterized by their simple clothes with a cloth wrapped around them and the shape of their heads, which are raised at the top.
The “Bodhisattva” is modeled on the figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, who was a prince of a small Indian kingdom before he began his ascetic practice, and is characterized by luxurious fashions such as prince-like accessories and crowns. The Standing Image of the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at Sanjusangendo in Kyoto is officially called “Eleven-Faced, Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva” and falls under this category.
The “Myo-o” stands for the strong power to vanquish evil and misfortune, and is characterized by its fang-tipped mouth, fearsome expression, and the flames behind it. The Daiitoku Myo-o of To-ji Temple in Kyoto and the Fudo Myo-o of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Chiba are in this group.
Finally, the “Deva” is characterized by armor and muscular muscles, as it serves as guards to protect the Buddhist world. Because of the background of Indian deities who once took on various forms and joined the ranks of Buddhas in connection with the beliefs of various countries and regions, the shapes and clothing of the Devas vary widely. Members of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune such as Daikokuten, Benzaiten, and Bishamonten belong to this group.
Thanks to this pamphlet, my view of Buddha images, which I had only thought of as “kind faces,” has changed drastically. In the future, I will be able to appreciate Buddha images more in-depth, including the background of their creation and the wishes that were put into them. The pamphlet is available in multiple languages and is also available online.
In Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, a town with a 400-year history of casting, Buddhist statues and ritual implements have been made. Even today, there are many highly skilled workshops, and the latest 3D technology is being used to restore and restore Buddhist statues. Our store handles many products made in Takaoka City. Please take a look at the products of each brand that combine beauty and functionality.
Nara National Museum
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DzC4FmXxwSJR5vwJ9
Otera Kohachiro Shoten
https://www.shokunin.com/en/otera/eto.html
FUTAGAMI
https://www.shokunin.com/en/futagami/
Nousaku
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nousaku/
momentum factory Orii
https://www.shokunin.com/en/orii/kaki.html
syouryu
https://www.shokunin.com/en/syouryu/
Kokokashiko
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kokokashiko/
References
https://edu.narahaku.go.jp/multilingual/
https://edu.narahaku.go.jp/online-work/
https://douki-takaoka.jp/about
