Tag: artisan

The site is located at the cross of Shichijo st. and Takakura ave. You can see old-fashioned building.
Shichijo Studio had been moved from here to Shijo-Karasuma during Muromachi period (14th – 16th century). So, this house is common house. Please don’t have behavior without thinking of anyone else.

We can’t conclude that Jocho had lived there. According to the records, Kakujo who is son of Jocho had lived there. The explanation plate is saying that Jocho is the father of Buddhism statue craftsman. However Kojo (teacher of Jocho) is called the father of craftsman among the experts.

#4 From Kamakura period (12th ? 14th century) to the present

Even if Kei group had the golden age in Kamakura period, other group didn’t vanish completely.
In the end of Kamakura period, Japan had got unstable, and the Imperial Court had been separated into two.
The early 14th century, Japan had got stable again by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Muromachi Bakufu the 3rd Shogun. And In group joined hands with new administrators, calm statues came back again.

From the latter of Muromachi period to Sengoku period (Warring states period, 15th -16th century), realistic statues came back again.

We have to know remarkable article during this period.
That is craftsman Shukuin. He appeared at Nara. He was a special in comparison with other craftsmen.
He was a carpenter, not a monk (other craftsmen were one of a monk (had a holy orders)).
He used Japanese cypress, and he didn’t color to statue (his works are all naked wooden statue).
And he sold statues at own store (other craftsmen made statues to order).

The name Shukuin was hereditary name, we found three persons had used this name for 80 years.
Almost current craftsmen’s style resemble to Shukuin. I mean, almost current craftsmen are not a monk. And their works are almost naked wooden statues.

After warring period, and Edo period had begun (17th ? 19th century), many statues and temples had been restored to its former condition by many craftsmen from coast to coast. Sometimes awful statue can be found, because hastily acquired craftsmen were increased.
On the other hand, unique and pretty statues also appeared by Enku and Mokujiki (they were a monk).

Current Japanese people have tendency to love naked wooden statues because we have a lot of chance to watch faded statues. However, I see colorful statues at old house. I guess people of Edo period has saw restored statues.

In 1868, Japan have become modernized nation. It’s Meiji period.
Meiji government adopted the principle of separation of government and religion, so new age and new wave approached to Buddhism statues (example for Buddhism statue with western methods, just a fine art statue with unbelieving and so on…). We can see various statues. Perhaps the present is reform times.

#3 the golden age of Kei group (Kamakura period)

In Heian period (8th ? 11th century), the center of Buddhism culture was Kyoto. Especially, Yen Group. They had produced statues from noble-class’ orders.

On the other hand, one craftsman had gone to Nara.
His name is Raijo. Unfortunately, the record of his actions have never remained, but we can find the record of Kocho who is grandson of Raijo. Kocho had the best pupul, Kokei.
They had put all their energies into produce statue, because many statues and temples have disappeared by Genpei war between Taira clan and Minamoto clan at Nara. Their statues were rich in originality.

At that time, Mappou Shisou (one of eschatology) prevailed in the years that he lived. Noble clung to Buddhism, they built temples.
And the same time, Hounen, Shinran, Dogen, Eisai and Nichiren are appeared, they put forward a new Buddhism (called Kamakura Buddhism). Buddhism changed from noble’s to common people’s.

After Genpei war, Japan had been ruled by Samurai. They liked realistic statues. For that reason, many realistic statues were produced. Kokei, Unkei, Kaikei and Tankei were appeared. It’s Kei Group. Their statues are popular still now.
Almost current craftsmen are following in their footsteps.

The hallmark of Kei group is realistic description (of human body). And using Gyokugan (crystal eyes).

Why they were watched? There are some reasons.
1. They could study structure of statues in detail, because their main work were ‘restoration’ at Nara.
2. They could get great chance to produce statues, because many statues disappeared by war.
3. Yen and In group had been hated from New administrator, Minamoto-no-Yoritomo (the first Shogun), because they joined hands with noble. Especially, Inson of In group produced statue to put a curse on Minamoto clan by Taila clan’s order.

Kei group got back to Shichijo studio at Kyoto. Kyoto became the Buddhism central city again by Kei group.

#2 Jocho & private studio years

Talking of Buddhism statue of Heian period, we recall “Jocho style”. Jocho (son of Kojo) had built an era. His remarkable service is establishment of Yosegi method (not carving from one timber, join some wooden parts together). And he had turned it into a style of Japanese tastes. Generally, it’s admired that the hallmark of his works are gently, soft and aristocratic statue.

A little come down in time, Chosei who is pupil of Jocho had had his studio at Kyoto Sanjo (called Sanjo Studio), and he had accepted many orders from noble-class. Chosei’s group is called Yen Group (because almost member had the sound of “Yen” to their name).

Further, Kakujo who is son of Jocho is key man. He had had his studio at Kyoto Shichijo (called Shichijo Studio), and he worked. His studio had survived than any other studios.

Raijo, pupil of Kakujo, went to Nara. It’s guessed that his main work was restoration of statues. Because Nara was not already the capital city and the center of Buddhism was Kyoto.

And Injo, son of Kakujo, had had his studio at Kyoto Shichijo-Omiya (called Shichijo-Omiya Studio), and they had produced Jocho style statues. Injo’s group is called In Group (because almost member had the sound of “In” to their name). They also joined hands with noble-class.

Incho who is son of Injo had had his studio at Kyoto Rokujo-Madenokoji (called Rokujo-Madenokoji Studio)

Pics;
(Left) genealogical table
(Right) representative Jocho’s work, Amida Nyorai (Amitabha)