Miroku Bosatsu (Maitreya Bodhisattva)

Unknown artist

Kamakura ・13th

Kyoto National Museum

This triad features Miroku Bosatsu in the center, Enchin on the left, and Shinra myojin on the right, with the Bodhisattva's face and body showing Heian period influences. The triad in this work is very unusual as it includes Miroku Bosatsu (Skt., Maitreya Bodhisattva) in the center, Enchin of Onjô-ji Temple, Shiga, on the left, and Shinra myôjin (E., Silla god), the guardian deity of Onjô-ji Temple, on the right. The iconography of this Bosatsu corresponds with a woodprint of Miroku Bosatsu of the Song dynasty (960-1279), China, that was found inside the sculpture of Shaka (Skt., Sakyamuni) at the Seiryô-ji Temple, Kyoto. Although the style is simple, using mainly line drawing, the Bodhisattva's face and body are reminiscent of the plumpness seen in Heian period (794-1185) Bud