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Shinto Deity in the Guise of the Monk Hyeja

A work made of wood with traces of pigment.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of wood with traces of pigment.

Date:

11th/early 12th century

Artist:

Japan

About this artwork

This figure is said to represent the seventh-century Korean monk Eji, the foremost spiritual teacher of the first great patron of Buddhism in Japan, Prince Shotoku (574-622). The sculpture is made in the ichiboku technique, utilizing only a single block of wood. Its dramatic power is enhanced by the natabori technique, in which the sculptor’s chisel marks are clearly visible on the surface. This is very different from the more polished, usually lacquered surfaces of most Japanese Buddhist sculptures.

Status

On View, Gallery 103

Department

Arts of Asia

Title

Shinto Deity in the Guise of the Monk Hyeja

Place

Japan (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1001–1125

Medium

Wood with traces of pigment

Dimensions

H.: 97 cm (38 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Kate S. Buckingham Endowment

Reference Number

2002.22

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/159534/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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