Muroji Temple Maitreya Hall: Sakyamuni Buddha

JAPAN, Nara, Uda; Heian period

This 9th century statue has been nicknamed the “Guest Buddha” because it was moved to Muroji Temple from another temple. It is currently located within the Maitreya Hall at Muroji Temple. Only the main body is carved from nutmeg wood while the limbs are from other materials. Traces of red paint are visible on the robe, but most of the old paint has peeled away to reveal the creative manner in which the wood-grain was accommodated to the body’s features. The statue was listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
The figure sits in half lotus position with right hand raised in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra and the left hand resting on the calf in varada (wish-granting) mudra. The face and body are full, and the Buddha wears monastic robes with folds expertly delineated in their variety. This treatment is characteristic of wooden sculptures from the Nara period (710–794).