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Shō Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion

12th century
Not on view
In the 1100s, the powerful Fujiwara family commissioned one thousand sculptures of Shō Kannon, the primary incarnation of the compassionate Buddhist deity Kannon and a rescuer of suffering souls. Traces of color and gold on this example, which once held a lotus bud in its left hand, hint at the resplendence of the original sculptural tableau. The Fujiwara commissioned the sculptures for Kōfukuji, a Buddhist temple in the ancient capital of Nara that they had patronized for more than five hundred years. The sculptures were dispersed in the nineteenth century and are now held in collections worldwide.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 聖観音立像
  • Title: Shō Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion
  • Period: Heian period (794–1185)
  • Date: 12th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Wood with traces of gold and color
  • Dimensions: H. 17 3/4 in. (45.1 cm); W. 6 in. (15.2 cm); D. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Dr. and Mrs. Roger G. Gerry Collection, Bequest of Dr. and Mrs. Roger G. Gerry, 2000
  • Object Number: 2002.447.2
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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The Bodhisattva Jizō, Intan Japanese, Japanese cypress wood (hinoki) with polychrome pigments, gold paint (kindei), cut gold leaf (kirikane), and rock-crystal eyes, Japan
The Bodhisattva Jizō
Intan
1291
Vishnu Riding on Garuda, Gilt copper repoussé, Nepal
Vishnu Riding on Garuda
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dated 1004
The Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, Copper alloy with gilding and color, Nepal
The Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future
Nepal
11th century
Six of the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūni shinshō), Wood with lacquer, color, gold, and inlaid crystal eyes, Japan
Six of the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūni shinshō)
Japan
early 14th century
Vishnu, Copper alloy with gilding, Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)
Vishnu
Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)
dated August 12, 1105

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