Zenkei

JAPAN; Kamakura period

Zenkei was a Buddhist sculptor of the Zen school of sculpture. Both Zenkei and Zen’en had the same age, were members of the same school, and had a similar sculptural style. Some scholars suggest that Zen’en and Zenkei could have been the same person.
Based in Nara, Zenkei was closely associated with Master Eizon, the reviver of Saidaiji Temple in Nara, and thus sculptors from the Zen school were mostly involved in the sculptural work of the temple. His artistic approach and skill were especially nimble, and his style was considered to be uniquely composed. At the age of 53, he was honored with the rank of Hokkyo (Dharma Bridge), the third highest rank awarded to Buddhist artists.
Sculptures by Zenkei include the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in the main hall of Saidaiji Temple, another Sakyamuni Buddha at Gokurakuji Temple in Kamakura, and Manjusri Bodhisattva at Hannyaji Temple in Nara. The latter was completed by his son, Zenshun, after he passed away in 1258. These three statues were listed as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Among Zenkei’s other artistic contributions was the restoration of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue at Saikoji Temple in Nara.