ㅇ Exhibits: 59 Japanese Buddhist art items (94 articles), including four Japanese National Treasure-designated items and 31 Important Cultural Property-designated items

 

 

Lake Biwako is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, extending 673.9㎢ in total area, located in Shiga Prefecture, and borders the ancient capital city of Kyoto. The surrounding area is rugged with mountains enveloping the lake from all sides. This unique natural environment, coupled with its location in close proximity to Kyoto, the imperial capital, made the Lake Biwako area one of the most culturally exciting places in Japan, with local flavors subtly blending with the mainstream culture of the capital.

 

Buddhism was brought from Baekje to this area earlier than elsewhere in Japan and flourished there. The temple where Tiantai Buddhism was founded and famous Buddhist retreats nestle in mountains and hills surrounding Lake Biwako, and these places abound in Buddhist sculptures and paintings.

 

This exhibition showcases Buddhist art items in the collection, or in the custody, of the Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwako Museum in Otsu, along with items in the collections of the Nara and Kyoto National Museums and those housed in temples in Shiga Prefecture. The items on display, 59 items (94 articles), although modest in number, include four National Treasure-designated items and 31 Important Cultural Property-designated items.

 

This exhibition promises to be an excellent opportunity to discover the unusual beauty of Japanese Buddhist art from Shiga. 

 

 

 

Sarira reliquary set of Sofukuji Temple

7th century, Omi Jingu, Japanese National Treasure

 

This sarira reliquary set, consisting of three cases, made in gilt bronze, gold and silver, and one glass bottle, is very similar in composition to the reliquary set discovered at the ancient site of Hwangboksa Temple in Gyeongju. This is the oldest existing reliquary set, complete with all its components, in Japan. The set has been designated by the Japanese government as National Treasure, in appreciation of its beauty and historical value. 

 

 

Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Heian period, Chofukiji Temple, Japanese Important Cultural Property

 

Biwako, a vast scenic lake with great masses of water as though an ocean, is like a benign mother for those who live nearby, as the source of vitality and abundance. Not coincidentally, statues of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the symbol of benevolence and mercy, are widely found in areas near Lake Biwako.

 

 

 

Standing Kichijoten

Kamakura period, Onjoji Temple, Japanese Important Cultural Property

 

Kichijoten or Lakshmi is a goddess from Indian mythology, who is the wife of Lord Vishunu. After the deity was absorbed by Buddhism, she became the wife of Vaisravana, the guardian of the north. In Japan, a separate cult on this goddess was established during the Nara period. 

 

 

Seated Kariteimo

Kamakura period, Onjoji Temple, Japanese Important Cultural Property

 

Known also as Hariti, Kariteimo was originally a demon who stole and ate children. But, after her conversion to Shakyamuni’s teachings, she became a patron goddess of children, symbolizing also fertility. She is customarily represented holding a child in her left arm and a pomegranate, a symbol of fertility, in her right hand.

 

 

 

Gilt-bronze Scripture Case with Floral Medallion and Arabesque Design

1031, Enryakuji Temple, Japanese National Treasure

 

Honen (Pure Land) Buddhism gained strong popularity among Kyoto aristocrats starting from the Heian period. The emphasis in this denomination of Buddhism was on rebirth in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, after death. Japanese Aristocrats applied themselves to the hand-copying of Buddhist scriptures, which were then placed inside a beautifully-decorated case and buried in the ground, so that the scriptures could be preserved for eternity even after the Dharma ends in this world, or so they hoped.

 

 

 

Openwork Keko (Flower Basket)

12th-13th century, Jinsyoji Temple, Japanese National Treasure

 

This keko (flower basket) was used during flower-scattering rituals in Buddhist temples. As part of a Buddhist ritual, Japanese used to decorate the sanctuary by scattering flowers and burning incense in such a way as to evoke the environment of the Pure Land.

 

 

Asura Realm from Rokudou (Six Paths) (original, left)

Kamakura period, 13th century, Shojuraigo Temple, Japanese National Treasure

 

Human Realm from a reproduction of Rokudou (reproduction, right)

Edo period, Shojuraigo Temple

 

In Honen Buddhism, all living beings are believed to be trapped in one of the six states of existence (Deva, the realm of heavenly beings; human realm; asura realm; realm of animals, realm of hungry spirits and hell), as they go through the cycle of life and death. It is by attaining enlightenment that living beings can finally break free and be reborn in the Pure Land. The paintings of the Six Paths are meant to assist the process of attaining enlightenment through easy-to-understand illustrations of these six states of existence. They depict the cruel torments of hell, suffering that is part of human condition and the peace and beauty of heaven in a highly detailed and realistic manner. In this exhibition, two Japanese National Treasure-designated Kamakura-period works are on display along with fifteen panels from Edo-era reproductions.

 

 

Ragaraja

13th century, Sojiji Temple, Japanese Important Cultural Property

 

Many of the esoteric Buddhist paintings from the Lake Biwako area, produced under the influence of Tiantai Buddhism, represent angry gods. These paintings are often in vivid primary colors, producing a strong visual effect. This painting, representing Ragaraja, is huge, standing over three meters tall.