| 研究実績の概要 |
My larger project concerns an art history of ancient Japanese Buddhist icons and temples. It introduces early esoteric 古密教 Buddhist visual culture and syncretic imagery 神仏習合 of the eighth century. In the monasteries of Nara, especially Yakushiji, Daianji, Shinyakushiji, Todaiji, and Saidaiji 薬師寺、大安寺、新薬師寺、東大寺、西大寺、and also in mountain hermitages and temples scattered across Honshu and Kyushu, we find examples of heterodox and orthodox teachers, statues, paintings and rituals demonstrating an esoteric history more nuanced than one that begins with Kukai and Shingon Buddhism in the ninth century. The study of kami representation has increased in recent years, but the study of the earliest kami images (神像) and jinguji 神宮寺 is undeveloped, especially concerning Kyushu. There are few articles and no monographs on this subject in English, and even Japanese researchers have only begun to approach Nara period visual culture from this viewpoint. There is no single model that can explain the diverse icon types and styles that became popular during the eighth century. Foremost among the new forms are Bodhisattva manifestations or “transformations” known collectively in the literature as Henge Kannon 変化観音. These are usually labeled as zomitsu 雑蜜 icons, but this distinction is misleading.
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| 現在までの達成度 (区分) |
現在までの達成度 (区分)
1: 当初の計画以上に進展している
理由
My research to date has been successful in understanding the move from Fujiwarakyo 藤原京 to Heijokyo 平城京 in terms of the two major state temples relocated, Yakushiji and Daianji. I have learned to read archaeological reports and histories with greater competence. I am now positioned to be able to publish and propose a new theory regarding the main icon 本尊 at Yakushiji, focussing on the pedestal of the main icon 薬師寺薬師の台座 but relating to the transfer 移建 of the monastery and the two monasteries noted, Daianji and Yakushiji, to the Nara capital. This does not have a bearing on what we directly consider esotericism or kami worship but it is critical to the understanding of the early Nara period icons and religious context.
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| 今後の研究の推進方策 |
I will make an effort publish in Japanese and English on the subject I have pursued this year, the meaning of and sources for the pedestal of the main icon at Yakushiji 薬師寺薬師の台座.
This would be my first publication in Japanese. I will also chair a panel and present a paper on the topic in June at the largest conference on Asian Studies in Japan, the Asian Studies Conference in Japan, at 明治学院大学.
I will also give ample attention to the continental influence on the sudden appearance of kami statues and kami who would like to become Bodhisattva 菩薩. These are usually understood as native Japanese gods but here again, Korean and Chinese influences are demonstrable. At Usa Shrine 宇佐八幡宮 in Kyushu, early eighth-century jinguji became Mirokuji. These icons are at the meeting point of beliefs about the “other world” 異世界 and state Buddhism.
My method for completing a book-length manuscript comprises research, documentation, writing, travel, collaboration, and dissemination. I will translate relevant historical documents; undertake close study of temple sites, icons, and esoteric ritual goods; and carry out comparative and historical analyses of works in Kyushu, Nara, Shiga and Kyoto. I will present my preliminary findings at an international conferences and I will organize an internation conference at Kyushu University. I will not travel to India for research this year but continue to work on the relevant Japanese, Korean and Chinese relationships among temples and icons.
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