Art Institute of Chicago

Icon Plaque (Kakebotoke) with bodhisattva

Japan

Date

late 13th - early 14th century

Medium

Wood and gilt bronze

Culture

Japan

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Kannon, the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion, sits in the center of this icon plaque. Along the outer rim, four sets of dharma wheels represent the teachings of the Buddha, and two vajras (the pronged objects attached to hoops) signify weapons used to destroy evil. In the inner circle, wish-granting jewels on either side of Kannon? stand for the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Buddhist law (dharma), and the community of believers (sangha). Icon plaques (kakebotoke) bearing the likeness of a deity were hung under the eaves of temples, where they could be seen and worshipped by multiple people at once. Their circular form derives from the shape of polished bronze mirrors.

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