Enryakuji Temple: Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara

JAPAN, Shiga, Otsu; Heian period

Carved from nutmeg wood, the statue dates from the latter half of the 9th century, although it has been much restored since. It is listed as an Important Cultural Property.
The other ten heads of this form of Avalokitesvara are mounted about the crown, which is fronted with a standing figure of Amitabha. Intricate turquoise pendants hang from the crown’s side-decorations, which accord with the abundant jewelry hanging from the neck and waist. Behind the head is a circular nimbus with a wide golden rim.
The figure stands with bare feet parallel on an ornamental lotus pedestal. Stoles descend from the shoulders on either side of the long skirt, on which the folds fall in an alternating wave and ripple pattern. The arms radiating about the body are slender, the majority holding individual attributes representing the Bodhisattva’s function. Two principal pairs of hands are featured in front, those at the top in anjali (reverence) mudra, those below cupping an alms bowl. The hair, eyebrows, eyes and mouth are painted with blue, red and black paint, while the body is gilded.