Kokuzo Bosatsu (Akasagarbha)

Kokuzo Bosatsu, primarily an Esoteric Buddhist deity, is a bodhisattva who represents blessings and wisdom as vast and boundless as infinite space. The form of this deity varies slightly according to different scriptures. Kokuzo Bosatsu has been worshipped in Japan since the Nara period (710-794), and many sculptural representations were produced during the Heian period (794-1192). This work is the oldest extant painting of Kokuzo Bosatsu, and also the most eminent. Buddhist paintings from this time tended to feature generous amounts of gold, while silver played a minor role. This work is unusual in its abundant use of silver, which forms a key expressive element. A further distinctive aspect of this painting is its sophisticated detail. This is exemplified by the gold kirikane (finely cut gold leaf) designs, where tonal gradations appear to have been produced using different types of metallic leaf, and the translucent clarity of the halo, which creates a vast sense of space. The production of this work is thought to have been closely associated with court nobility, however the specific reasons for production remain a point of conjecture.