Shobodaiji Temple: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattvas and Yama

JAPAN, Shiga, Konan; Kamakura period

These high-relief carvings of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattvas are placed side by side outside Shobodaiji Temple. They are life-sized, and stand upon lotus pedestals within arched niches. The central sculpture was made during the late Kamakura period (1185–1333) and has a bamboo rain hat above it. The figure holds a short monk’s staff as well as a jewel. The statues on either side were sculpted during the Muromachi period (1392–1573). One Bodhisattva holds a jewel and a lotus while the other has hands in the anjali (reverence) mudra.
There is a stele with five figures carved in niches. The top register features three figures with Yama in the center, measuring 82 cm high. He wears a crown cap and Daoist clothing. The angry demeanor displayed by the figure suggests strict justice in passing sentence. A relief of Ksitigarbha with joined palms sits on the right while Amitabha Buddha is on the left. Two other statues, of Ksitigarbha and a monk, appear on the lower register.