A Synthetic Research about Art Objects of Chusonji-Temple in the "O-Shu" Cultural Area under the Fujiwara Clan

1998 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 08301005
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Fine art history
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: ARIGA Yoshitaka Faculty of Arts and Letters, Tohoku University, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (20133613)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SUDO Hirotoshi Faculty of Humanities, Hirosaki University, Associate Professor, 人文学部, 助教授 (70124592) ; NAGAOKA Ryusaku Faculty of Arts and Letters, Tohoku University, Associate Professor, 文学部, 助教授 (70189108) ; ASAI Kazuharu Faculty of Arts and Letters, Aoyama Gakuin University, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (60132700) ; ITO Shiro Cultural Properties Protection Department, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Head, 文化財保護部, 主任文化財調査官(研 (90132703) ; MIZUNO Keizaburo Institute of fine Arts, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Profes, 美術学部, 教授 (50015228)
• Project Period (FY): 1996 – 1998
• Keywords: Chusonji-Temple / Hiraizumi-Area / The Fujiwara-Clan of the "O-Shu" (Tohoku Area)

Research Abstract

This synthetic research consists of three fields sculpture, painting and calligraphy, craft work.
Concerning sculptures, we researched 46 items (26 sets) of Chusonji and Motsuji in Iwate prefecture and Miyagi, Akita and Yamagata prefecture. As a result of these studies, we can understand the following two points. Most of those were made of Katsura trees and by the technique of Ichiboku-zukuri (single wood-block construction) or Warihagi-zukuri (split-and-join method). The research of Ichiji-kinrin (Ekaksarosnisacakra) in Chusonji, now treated as the secret buddhist image, is also one of our excellent results. After investigation, we think of this image set as Ichiji-kinrin-mandara (Mandala of Mahavairocana of Golden Wheel).
In the field of paintings and calligraphies, we researched 39 items of Chusonji. About Konshi-kinji-kyo (Sturas in Gold on Dark-blue Paper), we group those into three classes by judging those treatments of paintings. And we understand characteristics of conception about Shi-tenno (Four Guardian Kings) and thick coloring on dark-blue paper in Kinji-hoto-mandara (Chrysographed Sturas in Shape of Stupa).
Then about craft works, we researched 53 items (44 sets) of Chusonji and Motsuji and can understand those high quality of technique, especially of metal works in period of Fujiwara clan.
As mentioned above in detail, we can realize characteristics of art objects in "O-Shu" cultural area under the Fujiwara clan. And we think these characteristics are quite different from those of art objects in Kyoto under the rule of a cloistered Emperor.