Study of Narratives Represented in Japanese Deity Sculptures

• Project/Area Number: 25370148
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Fine art history
• Research Institution: Tokyo National Museum
• Principal Investigator: Maruyama Shiro 独立行政法人国立文化財機構東京国立博物館, 学芸企画部, 室長 (20249915)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2016)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,810,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,110,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: 神像 / 神道美術 / 日本彫刻史 / 神話 / 南宮神社 / 美術史

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Specialized methods for studying Japanese deity statues are yet to be established, despite their importance alongside Buddhist statues in the history of Japanese sculpture. This study began with a hypothesis that representations of gods (in the form of deity statues) derive from narratives uniquely associated with each deity, in the form of beliefs or as told in legends. From this viewpoint, facial expressions and gestures of deity sculptures were analyzed for finding the meanings in their appearances. As a result, the group of Japanese deity sculptures at Nangu Shrine in Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture, was found to possess individualities in the representations of age and character, claiming the statues’ considerable significance in the history of Japanese deity sculptures. This outcome led the sculptures to be designated as Important Cultural Properties in 2017 by the Japanese government.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] 広島・南宮神社神像群と神像の物語性 (2014)
  • Author(s): 丸山士郎
  • Journal Title: MUSEUM Volume: 652 Pages: 7-36
  • NAID: 40020506966
  • Peer Reviewed / Acknowledgement Compliant
• [Book] 平安の秘仏 (2016)
  • Author(s): 東京国立博物館・読売新聞社編
  • Total Pages: 93
  • Publisher: 東京国立博物館・読売新聞社
• [Book] 醍醐寺芸術珍宝 (2016)
  • Author(s): 上海博物館・陝西歴史博物館編
  • Total Pages: 244
  • Publisher: 上海世紀出版集団
• [Book] ほほえみの御仏 (2016)
  • Author(s): 東京国立博物館編
  • Total Pages: 20
  • Publisher: 東京国立博物館・NHK
• [Book] みちのくの仏像 (2015)
  • Author(s): 東京国立博物館等編
  • Total Pages: 100
  • Publisher: NHK・NHKプロモーション・読売新聞社