Kakebotoke

Japan

14th century

Bronze with traces of gilding, wood

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A kakebotoke is a round votive plaque with three-dimensional figural applications that was suspended from rafters and beams or hung on walls of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Originated in the late Heian period (794—1185), this kind of religious decoration was popular in the Kamakura (1185—1333) and Muromachi (1333—1575) periods and is considered a form of Buddhist art unique to Japan. These objects functioned as offerings to safeguard prosperity and to ensure the flourishing of Buddhist faith. Seated in the middle of this plaque is an Eleven-headed Kannon figure flanked by two vases with lotus leaves. Kannon is considered as