Shinto Deity in the Guise of Monk Hyeja is sculpture from Japan, carved out of wood in the 11th or early 12th century CE . It is thought to be a representation of Hyeja, a Korean monk revered as one of the first leaders of Buddhism in Japan . In Japan, eventually it came to be a common belief that powerful Buddhist figures where actually traditional Shinto deities in disguise . The figure in the artwork is missing both of his forearms and hands, as well as the tips of his feet. Over time, most of the pigment once covering Shinto Deity in the Guise of Monk Hyeja has worn away, leaving only small traces behind. The Shinto Deity in the Guise of Monk Hyeja expresses the ideal of piety in Buddhism, through the artist’s depiction of the monk’s garments, facial features, and formation of the body.
…show more content…
The monk wears what appears to be a long robe of some kind. The garment is simple in style, just one or two long pieces of unembroidered or otherwise decorated cloth. Furthermore, not only is the style of the clothing depicted simple, but the simplicity is visible in the artist’s design as well. The artist has carved only a few folds and creases in the monk’s robe, enough to give it some texture and a feeling of realism, but that is all. The design and depiction of the monk’s garments is far from ornate, expressing the Buddhist
The monk wears what appears to be a long robe of some kind. The garment is simple in style, just one or two long pieces of unembroidered or otherwise decorated cloth. Furthermore, not only is the style of the clothing depicted simple, but the simplicity is visible in the artist’s design as well. The artist has carved only a few folds and creases in the monk’s robe, enough to give it some texture and a feeling of realism, but that is all. The design and depiction of the monk’s garments is far from ornate, expressing the Buddhist