The Arts of Buddhism | 8th–16th century
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The Buddha Amida (detail), By Eisen, Kamakura period (1259) (Important Cultural Property)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 3
September 29, 2020 (Tue) - November 8, 2020 (Sun)The beliefs and arts of Buddhism, along with its followers, became more diverse over time. In the Heian period (794–1192), the emperor and court nobility practiced and supported Buddhism. They used their vast wealth to build temples and create images for worship, often in delicate styles reflecting their tastes.
In the Kamakura period (1192–1333), the samurai gained political power, also becoming patrons of Buddhism. They preferred Buddhist art that was clear and dynamic, which led artisans to develop new styles. Many common people also became followers of Buddhism at this time, blending this religion with local beliefs, especially in the Muromachi period (1392–1573).
During these centuries, monks brought new schools of Buddhist thought from China, and developed new schools in Japan based on older teachings. Buddhism also became more integrated with Shinto, the indigenous religion. The paintings, sculptures, ritual tools, and sacred calligraphy on display illustrate this diversity in Buddhism.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | The Buddha Amida | By Eisen (1239–?) | Kamakura period, 1259 (Shōka 3) | Gift of Mr. Yasuda Zenjirō C-508 | ||
| The Taima Mandala (The Pure Land of the Buddha Amida) | Kamakura period, 14th century | A-3 | |||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | The Wisdom King Fudō and the Eight Great Child Attendants | Kamakura period, 13th century | Lent by Onjō-ji Temple, Shiga | |||
| Highlight | The Buddha Entering Nirvana | Kamakura period, 14th century | A-214 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | The Biography of the Monk Hōnen, Vol. 19 | Muromachi period, 15th cｅntury | Lent by Okuno-in at Taima-dera Temple, Nara | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Golden Light Sutra, Vols. 2 & 4 (One of the “Eyeless Sutras”) | Kamakura period, 12th century | B-3177 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Golden Light Sutra, Vol. 4 (One of the “Eyeless Sutras”) | Kamakura period, 12th century | B-2400 | |||
| Important Art Object | Mirror with the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva Kannon | Heian period, 12th century | E-20856 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Plaque with the Bodhisattva Shō Kannon | Kamakura period, 1275 (Kenji 1) | E-19920 |