Prince Shōtoku Taishi as a Child Praying to the Buddha
Japan
(Nambokucho period (1336 - 1392))
Prince Shōtoku Taishi as a Child Praying to the Buddha
DateMuromachi period (1336-1573)
Mediumwood with traces of polychrome, crystal eyes
Dimensionsobject: 19 x 7 7/8 x 9 in. (48.3 x 20 x 22.9 cm)
ClassificationSCULPTURE
Credit LineSBMA, Museum Purchase with funds provided by the SBMA Women's Board
Object number2006.85
Subject(s)
- boys
- Buddhism
- religion
Collection
- Asian
Sub-Collection(s)
- Japanese
On View
On viewCollections
Label TextPrince Shōtoku Taishi (574-622) served as regent to Empress Suiko (r. 593-628), who promoted the Buddhist religion, which had reached Japan from India via China and Korea, and firmly established its place within Japanese society. Later Shōtoku was popularly worshipped by all Buddhist sects as the founder of Buddhism in Japan. A devotional cult was formed around him in the 13th century. Votive images, like this one, often depict Prince Shōtoku during different periods in his life, each reflecting a significant event. This sculpture portrays a miraculous event that occurred when Prince Shōtoku was two years old. Such a sculpture would have been placed in a Buddhist temple, most likely in a separate niche apart from the main image.
late 18th - early 19th century
