Buddhist Iconography and Programs in the Dunhuang Caves of the Tang and Song Dynasties

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K00182
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 01060:History of arts-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama University of Art & Design
• Principal Investigator: HAMADA Tamami 横浜美術大学, 美術学部, 准教授 (30367148)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 敦煌美術 / 仏教美術 / 図像研究 / 図像構成 / 石窟空間 / 経変 / 題記

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examines the statues and the murals in the Tang and Song Buddhist caves in the Dunhuang area, focusing on the iconographic programs of entire caves, as well as analysis of individual iconographic elements. In addition to presenting new interpretations of the iconography of the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara, the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra Scene, and the Vimalakirti Sutra Scene, the study of the main image in the frontal niche, the murals inside the niche, and the murals on the surrounding walls in the caves led to the assumption of the relationship between the iconographic in the cave and religious practices such as the puja and the receiving the Buddhist precepts.

Free Research Field

東洋美術史、仏教美術史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

敦煌石窟の窟内にあらわされた仏教美術の図像について、墨書題記や関連経軌等と照合し解明を行った本研究の成果は、仏教美術史や図像学の研究進展に繋がっただけでなく、仏教学・仏教史・歴史学など他分野にも寄与できるものである。加えて、窟内全体の図像プログラム解明の成果は、敦煌石窟に限らず、仏教図像や宗教美術の研究において有効な理論を提示するものとして学術的に大きな意義がある。