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Decorative Elements of Ancient Japanese Buddhist Sculpture

Research Project

Project/Area Number 12410022
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Fine art history
Research InstitutionNara National Museum

Principal Investigator

WASHIZUKA Hiromitsu (2001-2002)  Nara National Museum, Director, 館長 (80191740)

阪田 宗彦 (2000)  奈良国立博物館, 学芸課, 学芸課長 (20000375)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) INAMOTO Yasuo  Curator, 主任研究員 (70252509)
IWATA Shigeki  Department of Registration and Planning, Chair and Senior Curator, 企画室長 (20321622)
KAJITANI Ryoji  Chief Curator, 学芸課長 (40152649)
INOUE Kazutoshi  Doshisha University, Department of Literature, Assistant Professor, 文学部, 助教授 (40193578)
YAMAZAKI Takayuki  Aich Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, Department of Fine Arts, Professor, 美術学部, 教授 (60015279)
井口 喜晴  奈良国立博物館, 仏教美術資料研究センター長 (80090372)
鷲塚 泰光  奈良国立博物館, 館長 (80191740)
Project Period (FY) 2000 – 2002
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2002)
Budget Amount *help
¥15,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥15,100,000)
Fiscal Year 2002: ¥3,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000)
Fiscal Year 2001: ¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,900,000)
Fiscal Year 2000: ¥7,700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥7,700,000)
KeywordsAncient Japan / Buddhist image / Sculpture / Decorative elements, Buddhist ornamentation / Nimbus
Research Abstract

This research was conducted with the aim of carrying out a comprehensive reexamination of ancient (Asuka through Nara-era) Japanese Buddhist sculpture from the perspective of the concept of shogon (Buddhist ornamentation). In the course of conducting the research, the greatest priority was placed on selecting issues that spanned various related disciplines from the widest possible perspective and preparing materials of the highest reliability in order that they serve as a basis for future research. The following is a summary outline of the achievements of three years of research.
(a) As regards the preparation of basic materials, among the works concerned with shogon of the ancient period, the kohai, nimbi, of the Nara period were selected as particularly worthy of attention, and results more systematic and precise than those that had been attained previously were achieved through organized joint research, which resulted in the ground-breaking achievements. For example :
(1) A precise in … More vestigation of the now-fragmented kohai of the standing Juichimen Kannon statute at Shorin-ji temple (including the creation of a accurately measured diagram and optical analysis) and consideration of the design of a hypothetical reproduction based on the these studies.
(2) Creation of a precise tracing of the kohai of the Juichimen Kannon of the Nigatsudo at Todai-ji temple, conforming exactly to its original dimensions.
(3) A precise investigation (including an optical analysis), focusing on gaining an understanding of the structure of the three pieces of the kohai at the Denpo-do of Horyu-ji temple.
Introductory explanations and records of the investigations were added to the various photographs and drawings obtained in the process of conducting the research, and all were recorded together in the report of the results of the research, which has been titled Chosa kenkyu hen (Investigations and Research Volume).
(b) Each of the leaders of the various groups involved in the research over the three-year period considered various issues concerned with the ornamentation of Buddhist sculpture in ancient Japan, and as a result, nine papers written by experts in a variety of disciplines, including not only the history of sculpture, but also the histories of painting and architecture, history in general and archaeology, were published. These appear in the report of the results of the research under the title Ronko hen (Research Studies Volume).
(c) For each of the three years, leading scholars from Japan and abroad were invited to deliver papers on related topics, and the topics then became the subject of scholarly debate between the visiting scholars and those in charge of research at the museum at conferences known as Kokusai kenkyu shukai (International Research Forums). Records of the first and second forums are found in the report of research results.
(d) The results of this research are also available at the home page of the Nara National Museum. Less

Report

(4 results)
  • 2002 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2001 Annual Research Report
  • 2000 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (1 results)

All Other

All Publications (1 results)

  • [Publications] 鷲塚泰光(編): "「日本上代における仏像の荘厳」研究成果報告書"奈良国立博物館. 200 (2003)

    • Related Report
      2002 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2000-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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