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Japan trip
Day 3 - 8th June - Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo (Part 5)
Their photo policy was interesting. Besides the normal prohibition on flash photography, some items couldn't be photographed, at the request of their owners. It must be hard to enforce this policy. Then again, the honour system seems to work in Japan.
Buddhist banner with beaded ornaments
Mandalas of the Two Realms
Standing Amida Nyorai (Amitabha)
There were 3 very nice Senju Kannon Bosatsu (1000 armed avalokitesvara). Of course, the makers took the easy way out and had each arm represent 40, so there were only 25. To make up for that, they had 1001 statues in the place where these were from.
Standing Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu (Ekadasamukha Avalokitesvara)
Standing Attendants of Shitenno (Four Heavenly Kings)
I forgot to take the blurb for this. I think it's a general guarding Heaven, or something.
They called Laozi a "Legendary Emperor". Hah.
Buddha's ashes blurb
Buddha
Bodhisattva
Buddha
Bodhisattva Seated with One Leg Pendent. This begins the "Be a Bodhisattva and Tiao Kar" mini-series.
Bodhisattva Seated with One Leg Pendent
Some of the stonework was amazing, as they chiselled so precisely, it was as fine as brushwork.
Jomon vessel with Flame-like ornamentation
Jar
Haniwa Man in Formal Attire
Standing Sho-kannon Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara) (copy)
Blurb on Buddhism in Japan
Kujaku Myo-o (Mahamayuri)
"Just as a peacock eats poisonous plants and insects, the Mahamayuri works to take away humanity's sins and anguish".
I did a bit of checking and no, the Mahamayuri does not die and is resurrected.
Iconography of Kujaku Myoo (Mahamayuri)
Thirty-three manifestations of Avalokitesvara
Virtue of Building Stupa Sutra, Sutra on That Which Neither Increases nor Decreases, and Kengojo Sutra
Hotei (Budai)
Landscape
Armor of Haramaki type
Aikuchi Type Sword Mounting
Itomaki-no-tachi Style Sword Mounting
Hoshikabuto Style Helmet Bowl (??? - I assume it makes more sense in Japanese)
Sujikabuto Style Helmet with Gradated Purple Lacing
Gusoku Style Armor
They had a 'spearhead' and a 'naginata sword'. They were the same except the latter was curved.
At this point I found out that the place was open at 8pm (due to a special exhibition). I was very happy as it meant I could check out everything in the permanent galleries.