Asukadera Temple Angoin Main Hall: Sakyamuni Buddha
Gilt bronze
Asukadera Temple Angoin Main Hall: Sakyamuni Buddha
JAPAN, Nara, Asuka; Asuka period
This statue, also known as Asuka Daibutsu, is located in the main hall of Angoin at Asukadera Temple, Nara. Empress Suiko (reigned 593–628) summoned Tori to construct this statue in 605 according to the Chronicles of Japan. The Kangoji Temple Records, however, dates the summons to 609. The statue was struck by lightning during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) and all but the forehead, upper cheeks, and some of the fingers had to be restored. It was Japan’s first large-scale gilt bronze Buddha and is listed as an Important Cultural Property.
The Buddha is seated in full lotus position and has a long face and almond-shaped eyes. The right hand is raised in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, while the left hand opens on the knee in varada (wish-granting) mudra. The monastic robe is arranged to drape over the shoulders but the inner robes are visible.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 57.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F},
pages = 57,
title = {{Asukadera Temple Angoin Main Hall: Sakyamuni Buddha}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}