Prince Shōtoku 聖徳太子立像しょうとくたいしりゅうぞう

Description

Buddhism was introduced to Japan via the Korean Peninsula in the mid-6th century after it had spread across much of mainland Asia. Following its arrival, a courtier named Prince Shōtoku played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism. Prince Shōtoku was regent to the empress in the 7th century and was active at the heart of the early Japanese state. He erected temples in many places, including present-day Nara and Osaka, and built the foundation for the development of Buddhism in Japan. Almost immediately after his death, a religious following sprang up devoted to Prince Shōtoku that passed on numerous stories of miraculous episodes in the prince’s life. Paintings depicting these episodes along with sculptures of the prince at different ages were produced. The 13th century in particular saw a dramatic increase in religious devotion to Prince Shōtoku and a commensurate rise in the numbers of works featuring him.

This sculpture is one such work and depicts Prince Shōtoku at the age of two. It is based on the legend that the two-year-old prince turned to face east and chanted the Buddhist invocation namubutsu. He is wearing a red divided skirt, and the ends of a belt-like cord that holds the skirt in place hang at his right hip. His legs are hidden under his skirt, the hem of which drags behind him.

The sculpture’s head is large in proportion to its body as a whole, but the work skillfully captures the round appearance of a young child’s body. The lines carved on the prince’s hands and belly further emphasize his plump build. In contrast, his expression, with his eyebrows slightly knit and the corners of his eyes raised, conveys an impression of mature intelligence.

Prince Shōtoku (574–622) played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism in Japan. He was deified after his death and became associated with many legends. This sculpture shows him at the age of two, when he supposedly brought his hands together in prayer and chanted, Praise to Buddha Amida.