Shinto Deity in the Guise of the Monk Hyeja
11th/early 12th century
Medium
Magnolia wood with traces of pigment
Dimensions
H.: 97 cm (38 1/4 in.)
Classification
wood
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
159534
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This figure is said to represent the seventh-century Korean monk Hyeja, the foremost spiritual teacher of the first great patron of Buddhism in Japan, Prince Shotoku (574-622). The sculpture is made in the ichiboku technique, utilizing only a single block of wood. Its dramatic power is enhanced by the natabori technique, in which the sculptor's chisel marks are clearly visible on the surface.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...