Vairocana Buddha (Japanese, Dainichi Nyorai) / Artist Unknown, Japan
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 2003/2.59.1
- Title
- Vairocana Buddha (Japanese, Dainichi Nyorai)
- Artist
- Artist Unknown, Japan
- Artist Nationality
- Japanese
- Medium and Support
- cypress wood with gesso, lacquer, polychrome, and gilding
- Object Creation Date
- 17th century
- Object Creation Place
- Asia (continent)
- Japan (nation)
- Creation Place 1
- Asia (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- Japan (nation)
- Style/Group/Movement
- Buddhist
- Dimensions
- 130 cm x 73 cm x 57 cm (51 3/16 in. x 28 3/4 in. x 22 7/16 in.)
- Century
- 17th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Sculpture
- Primary Object Type
- figure
- Secondary Object Classification
- Ritual Objects
- Physical Description
- A figure is sitting on a lotus-shaped pedestal, which is itself placed on an hexagonal pedestal. The figure wears a drape hanging from the left shoulder and covering the bottom. The arms are placed in front; right hand holding the left index finger. The facial expression is calm; the two eyes looking down; a dot on the forehead. Two elongated ears. A tall crown on the head. The two halos are on the back of the figure; one behind the head and other behind the torso. Two halos are surrounded by an oval-shaped dais. The statue and pedestals are guilded with gold; some polychrome remnants.
- Subject Matter
- This particular image is identified as Vairocana Buddha (“Great Radiance” by his gesture of clasping his left forefinger with his right hand, symbolizing the philosophical notion of “the union of six elements” (earth, air, fire, water, and wood, all subsumed into mind). The elegant facial expression, bejeweled crown shows Buddha as a prince.
- Secondary Keywords
- associated concepts
- buddhist doctrinal concepts
- descriptors
- design elements
- doctrinal concepts
- earth sciences concepts
- figures (representations)
- motifs
- objects we use
- people
- people (agents)
- people and culture
- people by state or condition
- physical sciences concepts
- plant-derived motifs
- religions
- religions and religious concepts
- religious concepts
- scientific concepts
- sculpture
- sculpture by subject type
- visual works
- visual works by medium or technique
- visual works by subject type
- weather and related phenomena
- weather-related phenomena
- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 1936 x 2617
- File Size
- 674 KB
- Record
- 2003/2.59.1
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-2003-sl-2.59.1/2003_2.59.jpg
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Related Links
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IIIF
- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:2003-SL-2.59.1:2003_2.59.JPG
Cite this Item
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- Full citation
-
"Vairocana Buddha (Japanese, Dainichi Nyorai); Artist Unknown, Japan." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-2003-sl-2.59.1/2003_2.59.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 23, 2024.