Saidaiji Temple: Sakyamuni Buddha

JAPAN, Nara; Nara period

This statue is said to have been one of the four seated Buddhas found on the first story of the pagoda in Saidaiji Temple during the Nara period (710–794). It was initially unknown what the Buddhas were called but this particular status is now known as Sakyamuni Buddha. There is no mention of these statues in records dating from 780; therefore, it is assumed they were made shortly thereafter. This statue is listed as an Important Cultural Property.
Both the back of the body and the figure’s head has been hollowed and the surface gilded. The statue sits in full lotus position on a multi-tier lotus throne. The Buddha’s right hand is in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra while the left hand is relaxed on the knee in a possible varada (wish-granting) mudra. The hair is tightly curled and the long earlobes are hollowed. The monastic robe is opened at the chest with folds growing more pronounced as they fall lower in a style characteristic of the late Nara period.