Fujiwara style

Fujiwara style

Kichijo-ten (Sanskrit Mahasri; the goddess of good luck), polychrome wood sculpture, Fujiwara …

(credit: Asuka-en, Japan)

Japanese sculptural style of the late Heian period (897–1185). The style of the principal icons accorded with the emotional appeal of Pure Land Buddhism, introduced to counter the older esoteric sects. The sculpted figures, though still full and fleshy, were more elegant and heavily polychromed, with elaborate cut-gold (kirikane) patterns in the drapery. The facial type was aristocratic. Delicacy of expression was achieved by a joined-wood technique invented by Jocho. Interest in decorative effects can be seen in the applied jewelry, which in earlier periods had been painted or modeled on the sculpture's surface.