Page 74 - Bonhams Auction NYC Japanese and Korean Art March 15, 2017

(detail) (x-ray showing placards)

(x-ray of the interior) 6159
72 | BONHAMS A SEATED FIGURE OF DAINICHI NYORAI (VAIROCANA)
Muromachi period (1333-1573) 15th century
Carved and assembled in yose-zukuri (joined-block) construction
with inlaid crystal eyes and finished in gold lacquer, the figure shown
seated cross-legged with both hands in the lap in the hokkai jouin
mudra (concentration seal of the Dharma realm), the hair swept up in
a high topknot and fastened with an ornament and crown of royalty,
applied with a necklace of jeweled garlands, armbands and wristlets,
the interior of the body with numerous wood dedicatory placards

US$50,000 - 70,000

This fine figure represents a somewhat uncommon form of Dainichi
known as the Taizokai (Womb World) Dainichi, identifiable by the
hokkai join mudra, where the hands are held in the lap, palms facing
upward and thumbs touching. The more recognizable representation
of the deity is the Kongokai (Diamond World) Dainichi, as described
in the Kongokai Mandala, with the hands held in the chiken-in (so-
called "knowledge fist") mudra, with the clenched right hand held
above the extended index finger of the left hand. An inscription on
the lotus dais (now effaced) indicated that this sculpture was the
principle image in a temple of the Shingon sect.
The survival of dedicatory placards inside the body cavity, still
present some 500 years after the sculpture was made, is remarkable.
The placards are probably inscribed with the names of donors,
the date of dedication and possibly the name of the sculptor.

The results of carbon-14 test (no. IHME 2077 05270313) are
consistent with the dating of this lot.