Mokujiki Myoman

JAPAN, Yamanashi; Edo period

Mokujiki Myoman, commonly known as Mokujiki Shonin, as well as Mokujiki Gogyo Bosatsu or Mokujiki Myoman Sennin, was a Shingon monk and sculptor. A native of Kai (present day Yamanashi), he renounced at the age of 22 and subsequently began traveling throughout Japan. He was ordained at the age of 45 in the Mokujiki precepts under Mokujiki Kankai, which entailed the strict observance of a completely raw foods diet.
He made a vow in 1773 to travel the whole of Japan. In doing so, he also committed himself to sculpting and donating statues of the Buddha to the many temples he encountered, particularly around the Nitcho (present day Miyazaki) area. It is estimated that he created around 1,000 statues, approximately 400 of which still remain today. Mokujiki’s liberty in choosing materials and bold carving skills exceeded traditional styles. The majority of the smiling Buddhas he carved are comprised of rotund figures and conspicuous cloth folds. His style is often compared to the bold form of statues carved by the monastic sculptor, Enku.
His works include his Self-Portrait, kept at Tokoji Temple in Hyogo; Child-Granting Avalokitesvara, kept at Komyoji Temple in Ehime; Sakyamuni Buddha, Mahakasyapa, and Ananda, kept at Seigenji Temple in Kyoto; Medicine Buddha Triad, kept at Yakushido Hall in Tochigi, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva,kept at Zenkoji Temple in Nagano.