Page 9 - Christies DEVOTION IN STONE Gandharan Art From a Japanese Collection Sept 23 2020 NYC

Foucher studied the Gandharan reliefs against which were eventually published in my books over two
remaining early Buddhist scriptures. With a deep volumes. It was a really difficult task, but one I enjoyed
understanding of Sanskrit, he was able to explain all of very much.
the stories depicted in Gandharan reliefs.
What impact did your Gandharan Art books have on
The exciting aspect of Gandharan art is not only its the field?
artistic beauty, but also the way the reliefs depict a wide
IK: I am not sure about what impact my books had on
range of the Buddha’s life stories, which correspond to
the field. Although it is embarrassing for me to say,
ancient Buddhist scriptures. Foucher counted 108 of
people who have met me have kindly admired my books
the Buddha’s life stories in Gandharan reliefs. After
and referred to them as a bible of sorts for Gandharan
him, only about ten additional stories have since been
art. I can say I was very happy to chance upon my books
discovered, such as the marriage of Prince Siddhartha
in a glass showcase at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
or the scene of his followers fighting for the relics of
when I last visited!
the Buddha, which Foucher did not identify. For his
contributions to this area of study, we must recognize What were some of the important exhibitions of
Foucher as one of the most important early scholars in Gandharan art in Japan?
Gandharan art.
IK: In 1984, “Gandhara Art of Pakistan” was held
Thus, his research underpins all of the later study in this at the Seibu Museum of Art in Tokyo, the National
field, and most of the current knowledge in the world Museum of Art in Osaka and the Fukuoka Art Museum,
is based on his book. It is not an exaggeration to say mainly from collections from Pakistan. It was perhaps
that it is worth writing a whole book if you make a new the first large-scale museum exhibition of Gandharan
discovery or add to or question his research. My own art in Japan, and it was instrumental in introducing
two-volume book, Gandharan Art, owes much to the Gandharan art to Japan and increasing its popularity to
work of Foucher. a wider public.

Since Foucher’s book was published, there were In 2007-2008, Professor Akira Miyaji (b.1945)
no additional publications, nor English translations organized an important exhibition of Gandharan art at
printed. Even after we would find new depictions the Shizuoka prefectural Museum of Art, the Fukuoka
of the Buddha’s life stories, or different iterations of Asian Art Museum and the Fukui City Art Museum
known scenes, there were few opportunities to publish titled “Gandharan Art and Bamiyan Site,” which
said works. Only the major known pieces from the exhibited only works from Japanese collections. Many
collections of public museums were being published of the works that are offered in this sale were featured
in catalogues and exhibitions. Some scholars were in that exhibition.
aware of recent discoveries but were hesitant to publish
Are there many Japanese collectors of Gandharan
them because there they had no way to guarantee
art today?
the authenticity of these newly discovered reliefs.
However, many interesting works were available in the IK: In the 1980s and 90s, when the Japanese economy
international art market, and within the collections of was very strong, Gandharan sculpture was very popular
private individuals. In the process of writing my books, in Japan. These days, I have noticed a big shift in interest
I had access to some of these private collections and from collectors based in Japan to those based in China,
many of the market catalogues, and was able to find which is also a country with a strong tradition of
interesting new reliefs and scenes. Buddhism. In fact, the Hirayama Collection is currently
being exhibited in China.
What was the process of writing these books like?
Where do you see the market for Gandharan art
IK: All on my own, I reached out to public museums, going today and in the future?
dealers, and private collectors, asking them to send
me images of any Gandharan works they owned. I IK: Now, with the popularity of Gandharan art
specifically asked not just for beautiful works but also internationally, it is very difficult to find excellent pieces
works that were academically important, even if they available on the market. When a beautiful example
were ugly! I was able to collect hundreds of images, becomes available, it tends to be very expensive!