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303 photos
Shishi mask, Japanese, Kamakura period, 13th century. This rare early surviving example of a lion mask is from the Kamakura period. The vigour of the chisel-work and symmetry of the curled hair are characteristic of sculpture of the period. Depictions of the lion and the lion dance arrived in Japan together with Buddhism around the seventh century. As lions were not indigenous to Japan, at first representations were based on those of Tang dynasty China. Gradually however, the lion, or shishi, developed a uniquely Japanese appearance. The mask with a textile body was worn or carried by one or more performers leading Buddhist gyôdo processions to exorcise evil along the route. Notable features of the shishi mask include a prominent nose, moveable lower jaw, a mane lying forward over the head, and very small ears. JA, 1999.12-19.87
#33011027

Shishi mask, Japanese, Kamakura period, 13th century. This rare early surviving...

Bodhidharma (Daruma), Momoyama period, Japan, late 16th century. Portraits of Daruma traditionally emphasised his 'Indian' appearance with bushy beard and eyebrows, compelling eyes, large nose and long ears (a symbol of Buddhist sanctity). He wears a large earring. The painting is powerfully executed in a variety of fine lines for the face, hair and beard and dashing black brushstrokes for the robes. Bodhidharma, known as Daruma in Japanese, was the Indian founder of Zen Buddhism which he brought to China. He is said to have spent nine years seated in meditation in a cave, losing the use of his arms and legs. Zen became influential in Japan in the thirteenth century. From this period onward Japanese Zen monks began painting portraits of Daruma in brush and ink as an aid to reaching enlightenment (satori). 765 mm x 390 mm JA, JP 362 (1913.5-1.0101)
#33011032

Bodhidharma (Daruma), Momoyama period, Japan, late 16th century. Portraits of Da...

'The Great Renunciation', painting on hemp cloth, Korean, Choson dynasty, early 18th century. Although Korea was a strict Confucian state during the Choson dynasty (1392-1910), by the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Buddhism became less oppressed and more popular. According to Buddhist teachings, the future Buddha, Prince Siddhartha Gautama, sees the 'four sights': an old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic, and reaches an understanding about the transience of life, deciding to abandon his comfortable world. Here he is shown escaping from the palace on his white horse during the night. He is accompanied by his groom Chandaka. In the lower left his wife and other women of the palace are portrayed sleeping while at top right, heavenly deities are shown helping Siddhartha fly silently over the palace wall. OA, 1996.10-3.02
#33011059

'The Great Renunciation', painting on hemp cloth, Korean, Choson dynasty, early...

Celadon tea bowl from Korea, Koryo dynasty, early 12th century. The lotus, on the incised design on the interior of this bowl, is a Buddhist symbol of purity, a reminder of Buddhism's strong influence on the development of celadons in the Koryo dynasty (AD 918-1392). Tea drinking became a popular activity during the late Unified Silla dynasty (AD 668-935) and early Koryo dynasty, due to the influence of Son Buddhism, which spread from Buddhist monks to the population in general. Son Buddhism strongly emphasized meditation through tea drinking. OA, 1911.6-7.29
#33011060

Celadon tea bowl from Korea, Koryo dynasty, early 12th century. The lotus, on th...

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen showing the city of Osaka during the Toyotomi Era (1583-1615),Momoyama Period. Schloss Eggenberg (Eggenberg Castle Museum) Graz, Austria. Panel 5 - The Buddhist Shitennojy temple "of the Four Heavenly Kings" which dates from the 13th century and was renovated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
#33030347

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen showing t...

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen depicting the cityscape of Osaka during the Toyotomi Era (1583-1615) in the Momoyama Period. Housed in Schloss Eggenberg (Eggenberg Castle Museum) Graz, Austria. Panel 6 - Paradise bridge alludes to the Buddha Amida's "Pure Land", a paradise into which all believers desire to be reborn. The bridge was only located here from 1596 to 1600, then was dismantled and integrated into Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mausoleum in Kyoto. A man carrying a tray with food.
#33030356

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen depicting...

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen depicting the cityscape of Osaka during the Toyotomi Era (1583-1615) in the Momoyama Period. Housed in Schloss Eggenberg (Eggenberg Castle Museum) Graz, Austria. Panel 6 - Paradise bridge alludes to the Buddha Amida's "Pure Land", a paradise into which all believers desired to be reborn. The bridge was located here from 1596 to 1600 only, then was dismantled and integrated into Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mausoleum in Kyoto. Two men carrying trays with food.
#33030357

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen depicting...

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen showing the city of Osaka during the Toyotomi Era (1583-1615), Momoyama Period. Schloss Eggenberg (Eggenberg Castle Museum) Graz, Austria. Panel 6 - Paradise bridge alludes to the Buddha Amida's "Pure Land", a paradise into which all believers desire to be reborn. The bridge was located here from 1596 to 1600 only, then was dismantled and integrated into Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mausoleum in Kyoto.
#33030360

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen showing t...

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen showing the city of Osaka during the Toyotomi Era (1583-1615), Momoyama Period. Schloss Eggenberg (Eggenberg Castle Museum) Graz, Austria. The Byodoin Temple complex with its gardens and cherry-trees represents Buddah Amida's paradise on earth.
#33030433

Osakazu Byobu (Osakajo-zu byobu) - Japanese eight-panel folding screen showing t...

Christ and Buddha,1890.
#40112222

Christ and Buddha,1890.

Le Buddha (1906-1907).
#40120535

Le Buddha (1906-1907).

The great renunciation The Life of the Buddha. Burma, early 19th century. Or. 4762, ff.3-4
#40180421

The great renunciation The Life of the Buddha. Burma, early 19th century. Or....