Kofukuji Temple East Golden Hall: Vimalakirti

JAPAN, Nara; Kamakura period

The Vimalakirti statue is placed to the left of the Medicine Buddha and contrasts with the youthful Manjusri Bodhisattva on the other side. During restoration in the Meiji period (1868–1912), an inscription was found inside naming it as the work of the sculptor Jokei. It was listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
The near life-size statue is assembled from several pieces of cypress wood. The eyes are inlaid with jade; the body and throne are painted. Renowned for his learned eloquence, Vimalakirti sits cross-legged while energetically expounding the Dharma, his hands gesticulating and his mouth opened and showing teeth. He wears a long-sleeved garment with intricate folds falling over the edge of the throne. The base is decorated with bas-reliefs of a lion and peonies, while decorative hangers protrude on either side of the back screen, all attributed to the influence of the Chinese Song dynasty (960–1279).