Kannon in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, June 2018

Kannon (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara)

Unknown (Artist)

13th century

Culture: Japanese

Category: Sculpture

Medium: Wood with polychrome, traces of lacquer, gold dust, crystal

Collection: East Asian Art

Dimensions: Overall: 57 1/2 × 43 × 34 in. (146.05 × 109.22 × 86.36 cm)

Object Number: 67.18.1

Related Material: Part of a set "Kannon, Altar, Baldacchino and Altar Table" (67.18.1-4)

School: Shigon 真言宗

Period: Kamakura period (1185-1333)

Signature: Unsigned

Marks: None

Inscription: None

Credit Line: Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund

Kannon, known as the bodhisattva of compassion, is a primary deity worshipped in Pure Land Buddhism. In deep meditation, this Kannon sits cross-legged and holds a lotus bud. Although hands and forearms have been restored, the statue’s balanced form, divine features, and flowing drapery resemble the classical form of sculpture of the Kamakura period. To form this monumental sculpture, multiple sections of wood were joined together and then wrapped with hemp. Like many wood sculptures since the Heian period, this statue was once coated with lacquer to protect it from cracking and water or worm damage.


Text from: vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-161819648