Thursday, July 10, 2008

"My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income." - Errol Flynn

***

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.
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