Kakebotoke, 14th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Bronze with traces of gilding; woodexpand_more
Gift of Elizabeth and Willard Clarkexpand_more 2013.30.20
On View in Gallery 220expand_more
A kakebotoke is a round votive plaque with three-dimensional figural applications that was suspended from rafters and beams or hung on walls of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Originated in the late Heian period (794—1185), this kind of religious decoration was popular in the Kamakura (1185—1333) and Muromachi (1333—1575) periods and is considered a form of Buddhist art unique to Japan. These objects functioned as offerings to safeguard prosperity and to ensure the flourishing of Buddhist faith.
Seated in the middle of this plaque is an Eleven-headed Kannon figure flanked by two vases with lotus leaves. Kannon is considered as the embodiment of compassion. A lotus canopy with pendant jewels made of fine sheet metal crowns Kannon’s image. The figure has been cast in a unit with the lotus throne showing details like the creases of the garment of the deity and the throne’s lotus leaves as lines incised with a metal stylus. The rough contour of the head, the body, arms and the legs merged with the throne have been made by hammering the metal sheet, using a wood or metal matrix as a positive mold.
Details
- Title
- Kakebotoke
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2013.30.20
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.