Portrait Sculpture of Priest Gyōki, early 17th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Wood, gesso, lacquer, pigment, and goldexpand_more
The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fundexpand_more 95.85a-c
On View in Gallery 220expand_more
Gyōki (668–749) was one of the most celebrated Buddhist priests of the Nara period (710–94), revered as much for his spirituality as for his social and civic accomplishments. His most monumental undertaking was the casting of a colossal bronze statue of the Cosmic Buddha, Vairocana, at the temple Tōdaiji in the Japanese capital of Nara. This statue of Gyōki was created nearly a thousand years later, when interest in the life of the priest was rekindled during the renovation of the temple and repair of the Vairocana Buddha sculpture. It was based on a 13th-century portrait-sculpture now in the collection of Tōshōdaiji temple in Nara. Highly accomplished priests were believed to be living deities. After such a priest died, portrait sculptures were created and placed in special worship halls where monks made ritual offerings and performed daily religious devotions.
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- Title
- Portrait Sculpture of Priest Gyōki
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 95.85a-c
- Curator Approved
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