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The Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture to Show Buddhist Deities |
| February 3rd, 2012 01:35:04 am |
Hanford, California.- The Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture is pleased to present "Wrathful Deities and Compassionate Bodhisattvas: Aides of the Buddhist Faith" on view at the center from February 4th through April 28th. Buddhism arrived in Japan in the mid-6th century, carrying in its new form of belief a vast pantheon of deities. Originating in India and passing through China and the Korean peninsula, the Buddhist faith underwent various transformations while keeping the one, ultimate goal: attainment of nirvana or salvation and escape from the endless cycle of rebirth. Through contact with various Asian cultures where Buddhism was adopted, the Buddhist pantheon increased by the assimilation of Hindu deities, Chinese Daoist and Confucian beliefs, indigenous saints as well as Japanese Shinto deities (kami). The visual arts have become an important medium to transmit and teach Buddhist doctrine and the diversity and extent of the pantheon confronts people with a maze of Buddhist imagery.
The exhibition Wrathful Deities and Compassionate Bodhisattvas: Aides of the Buddhist Faith leads through this maze of Buddhist deities, explaining their purpose and giving the visitor insight into the different iconographical renderings. In a system recalling Christian belief of the Holy Helpers and other saints, Buddhism also knows benevolent, merciful deities that assist the adherents in their faith. But besides the compassionate form of Buddhist bodhisattvas there are fierce-looking deities guarding the doctrine, the Myoo, or Wisdom Kings. The contrast between the merciful bodhisattvas and the almost demon-like ferocious deities is one of the most intriguing aspects in Buddhist art and these deities could be confused due to their gruesome outer appearance with mischievous devils and demons. The Clark Center's spring exhibition will showcase the diverse forms of aid through exquisite Buddhist sculptures and a rare bronze votive plaque (kakebotoke), ranging in dates from the 12th to the 14th century. Also featured are sophisticated Buddhist hanging scrolls dated from the same period, as well as intriguingly painted saints and deities created during the 17th to the 19th century. Amongst them is an abbreviated drawing (shukuzu) of a Buddhist narrative by the accomplished and widely known painter Kano Tan'yu (16021674). Continuing to today, Buddhas death is celebrated on February 15th as "Nirvana Day" and, in timely appropriation, a monumental nirvana painting (nehan-zu) of 9 6 feet (2.8 1.9 meters) dated to 1682, illustrating the death of the historical Buddha and his entrance into nirvana, is a highlight of this exhibition. As a representative of the wrathful deities and the fierce aspect in Buddhist imagery a 13th century wooden sculpture of the Wisdom King of Great Awe (Daiitoku Myoo), the Clark Centers celebrated masterpiece, will be welcoming the visitors.
The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture was formed to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, and educate the public about works of fine art. While the arts of no country are excluded, the Center's primary focus will be the arts of Japan. Through these means it hopes to further understanding of the culture of Japan and foster friendship between Japan and the United States. Connoisseurship, defined as concern for the visual power, aesthetic quality and authenticity of works of art as recognized through the highest standards of judgement and taste, shall infuse all activities of the Center, and shall be the determining factor for deliberations and decisions by the Center's Board of Directors. Using the study and exhibition of its collection as one catalyst, the Center seeks specifically to encourage and increase recognition of the aesthetic delight which connoisseurship of works of art can provide, and to promote consideration of the inter-relationships of great works regardless of their origins in time or place. Presently housed at the Clark Center are more than five hundred hanging scrolls, nearly forty screens, eleven works of sculpture, almost two hundred fifty wood-block prints, well over one hundred ceramics, more than one hundred bamboo baskets, over one hundred kimono, and a number of pieces of decorative art primarily from the Meiji period (18681912). Amongst the collections most important pieces are exquisite Buddhist sculptures and paintings from the Kamakura period (11851333), an extremely wide range of paintings from the Edo period (16151868), and a selection of folding screens of the finest quality as well as one of the most extraordinary collections of contemporary Japanese ceramics and bamboo works in the US. Visit the center's website at ... http://www.shermanleeinstitute.org
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