Seated Jie Daishi

Seated Jie Daishi
Artist	Unknown
Year	1286 (Kamakura period)
Type	Wooden sculpture, polychromy and inlaid crystal eyes
Dimensions	83.3 cm (32.8 in)
Designation	Important Cultural Property
Location	Kongōrin-ji, Aishō, Shiga, Japan

Seated Jie Daishi (慈恵大師坐像) is an anonymous wooden sculpture dated from 1286 depicting Jie Daishi (Priest Ryōgen), property of the Kongōrin-ji temple in Aishō, Shiga. It is designated an Important Cultural Property.[1]

Ryōgen (912–985), also known as Jie Daishi, was the 18th chief abbot of Enryaku-ji, the head Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu. He is considered a restorer of the Tendai school of Mahayana Buddhism,[2] and credited for reviving Enryaku-ji.[3] It was Ryōgen's son Renmyo who requested the creation of a posthumous portrait of his father, in prayer for his rebirth in the Pure Land, the celestial realm in Mahayana Buddhism.[3]

The sculpture was created during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), an era famous for its sculpture. It is currently owned by the Kongōrin-ji temple, one of the three Koto Sanzan temples of the Tendai school.[4]

The sculpture is often on display in Room 3 of the Honkan (Japanese Gallery) of the Tokyo National Museum. The last time was from July 11 to October 1 of 2017.[5][1] It was previously on exhibit in 2014 (July 23 to August 31), [6] and in 2012 (April 24 to July 16).[7][8]

References

1. "September 27, 2017 (Wed) Honkan". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
2. "Ryogen". Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
3. English display at the TNM
4. "Kongourinji Temple". Shiga Tourism Official Website. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
5. "August 1, 2017 (Tue) Honkan". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
6. "July 27, 2014 (Sun) Honkan". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
7. "May 1, 2012 (Tue) Honkan". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
8. "Buddhist Art: Heian - Muromachi period". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2018-01-19.