UNKEI
運慶
Unkei, a great Buddhist priest who appears in textbooks, is still highly evaluated as a "master of beauty," "genius Buddhist priest," and "Michelangelo of Japan." It is said that there are not a few masterpieces of Buddhist statues from ancient times to the Middle Ages, but there are not so many Buddhist masters who are as disturbing as Unkei. One of the characteristics of Unkei's work is said to be realism. A typical example is Hokuen-do, Kofukuji. It is a vasubandhu image. This statue is as beautiful as a living human being. In addition, it seems that the vitality is transmitted from the youthful body of the statue of Dainichi Nyorai at Enjoji Temple in Nara. In addition, it is said that the characteristic of Unkei's Buddha statue is that its plump body feels heavy, and from there you can feel the strength and energy.
Unkei's style, in which such an overwhelming sense of volume appears, was accepted by the samurai of the East, and there are surprisingly many Unkei's works in the East.
UNKEI
仏像彫刻の革命児
Unkei was born to Kokei, a disciple of Kokei, the mainstream of Nara Buddhist masters. Kokei had a son who took over, but Kokei took over as a builder. Unkei, who trained under such a father, gradually emerged. Recognized by the influential people of the Kamakura Shogunate, he made many Buddhist statues in the eastern country, and his ability became known to the world.
After that, he advanced to Kyoto, the home of the graduate school and the yen school, and in 1197 (Kenkyu 8), he took over the restoration of the Buddhist statue at Toji Temple at the Kei school family and expanded his power. Then, in 1203 (Kennin 3), after making a statue of Kongorikishi at Nandaimon Gate of Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture, he finally reached the highest rank of Buddhist priests.
The greatest feature of Unkei sculpture is that it expresses lively expressions and movements that were not found in previous Buddhist statues, and Unkei challenged the sculpture violently and passionately.
JORAKUJI
浄楽寺仏像
Unkei was born to Kokei, a disciple of Kokei, the mainstream of Nara Buddhist masters. Kokei had a son who took over, but Kokei took over as a builder. Unkei, who trained under such a father, gradually emerged. Recognized by the influential people of the Kamakura Shogunate, he made many Buddhist statues in the eastern country, and his ability became known to the world.
After that, he advanced to Kyoto, the home of the graduate school and the yen school, and in 1197 (Kenkyu 8), he took over the restoration of the Buddhist statue at Toji Temple at the Kei school family and expanded his power. Then, in 1203 (Kennin 3), after making a statue of Kongorikishi at Nandaimon Gate of Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture, he finally reached the highest rank of Buddhist priests.
The greatest feature of Unkei sculpture is that it expresses lively expressions and movements that were not found in previous Buddhist statues, and Unkei challenged the sculpture violently and passionately.
