Iranian culture discerned in the treasures of the Horyu-ji and Todai-ji temples: its relation to the Hephthalite and Sogdian culture

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26370146
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Fine art history
• Research Institution: Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (2015-2016); Kansai University (2014)
• Principal Investigator: Kageyama Etsuko 独立行政法人国立文化財機構奈良文化財研究所, 企画調整部, アソシエイトフェロー (20453144)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): YOSHIDA YUTAKA 京都大学, 文学部, 教授 (30191620) ; SHIMAZU YOSHIKO 国立歴史民俗博物館, 研究部情報資料研究系, 助教 (10523756)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 中央アジア / ソグド / エフタル / 図像 / 正倉院

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this research is re-examination of the “Iranian culture” hitherto observed in the treasures of the Horyu-ji and Todai-ji temples, which has been traditionally considered as the culture of the Sasanian Dynasty. On some treasures we can observe the influence of the Hephthalites which controlled Central Asia from the middle of the fifth century to the middle of the sixth century as well as the influence of the Sogdians. Through examination of iconographical material from Central Asia and China, we have demonstrated that the suspension system of the swords in the Todai-ji treasures is the new method introduced in Central Asia during the Hephthalite period and that the wooden masks of Drunken hu King “Suiko-ou” in the treasures portray a leader of Sogdian colonies existed in China during the Northern Dynasties.

Free Research Field

ソグド文化史