Virtual Settsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #9 Mudo-ji Temple

 

     Prince Shotoku (574-622) founded Fuku-ji Temple, presumably enshrining the Mahavairocana sitting statue made by Kuratsukuri Tori.

     Horyu-ji Temple and other temples have Buddhist statues of the same style, known as the Tori style.  The Tori-style statues are influenced by the style of Buddhist statues from the Northern Wei Dynasty  (386-535)of China.  The Tori-style Buddhist statues are characterized by their ancient robe and clothing, almond-shaped eyes, and archaic smile.  The Tori-style gilt bronze Buddhist statues are also characterized by their thin and uniform copper finish.  When they used a core in casting and moulding, they used iron to secure the core and removed it after casting and moulding.  Their techniques were superior to other gilt bronze Buddhist statues.

     After the Taika Reforms in 645, the Tori style disappeared.  Did they lose their powerful patrons?

     The biggest loser in the Taika Reform was the Soga Clan.  Anyway, the Asuka culture, in which the Tori style was included, was succeeded by the Hakuho Culture.

     As for the Asuka Culture, Chinese culture was introduced to Japan by the Three Kingdoms of Korea.  Artisans and skilled workers emigrated to Japan from the Korean Peninsula.  The Hakuho Culture, on the other hand, was influenced directly by the Sui and Tang dynasties China, and influenced indirectly by Gupta art from India.  The Hakuho Period was marked by the rapid expansion of Buddhism and its dissemination throughout Japan.  Hundreds of Buddhist temples were built in the Hakuho period, showing considerable Tang-dynasty China influence in styles.

     For your information, as for archaic smiles, Baekje, a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 B.C. to 660, had their own Baekje smile, which is the common smile motif found in Baekje sculpture and bas-relief.

     It is unknown when Fuku-ji ws renamed Mudo-ji, and it is also unknown when the original Mahavairocana sitting statue was lost.  The present Mahavairocana sitting wooden statue is supposed to have been made in the Heian Period (794-1185).

     Mudo-ji Temple was revived in 1752 by Priest Shingen (1689-1758), who was from Yamada Village.

Address: 7-1 Yamadacho Fukuchi, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1254

Phone: 078-581-0250

Wakaoji Shrine

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