Toshodaiji Temple Sculptures

JAPAN, Nara; Nara period

Toshodaiji Temple is the head temple of the Vinaya school of Japanese Buddhism. It was founded in 759 by the Chinese Master Jianzhen, a Tang dynasty (618–907) Vinaya master who traveled overseas to Japan. A number of sculptures from the early Nara period (710–794) can still be found here. The temple records state that many statues within the Golden Hall were produced by Rubao, a disciple who traveled to Japan with Master Jianzhen, while the Vairocana Buddha was sculpted by another disciple, Yijing. But there is another saying that the statues were made by artisans from the governmental workshops instead.
The platform of the Golden Hall has nine wooden statues that are listed as National Treasures. The seated Vairocana Buddha at the center is accompanied by standing figures of the Medicine Buddha and the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara. There are smaller figures of Brahma and Sakra in front of the three statues, while the corners are guarded by the Four Heavenly Kings. Vairocana is sculpted in dry lacquer, while Avalokitesvara was produced by the wood-core dry lacquer technique. The Medicine Buddha’s different characteristics offers a clue that this statue may be from the Heian period (794–1185). The founder’s hall contains an accomplished statue of Master Jianzhen, the temple’s founder, sculpted in lifelike detail in hollow dry lacquer.
The lecture hall contains a seated Maitreya Buddha, with Dhrtarastra, Heavenly King of the East, and Virudhaka, Heavenly King of the South. These statues are recognized as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The wood sculptures from the initial period are now housed as exhibits in the temple’s museum. The standing Medicine Buddha and the Lion’s Roar Bodhisattva are listed as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. These figures are thought to be works directed by Jianzhen and sculpted by the artisans who came with him from China to Japan.