Gilded Wood Carving of Dainichi Nyorai

Japan, Nanboku-cho period (1336 – 1392)

Dimensions: Dainichi – 72 cm, Dainichi + mandorla – 124 cm, width of mandorla – 81 cm

Gilded Dainichi Nyorai wood carving from the Nanboku-cho period made with the yosegi zukuri technique. Dainichi is seated in a meditative posture on a throne of large lotus leaves, feet resting on the thighs, turned upwards, hands in a hokkaijō-in (gesture of the Dharma realm) position. The hand posture shows that this is not a conventional Kongokai Dainichi depiction (hands then in chiken-in position), but a so-called Taizokai Dainichi.

As for Dainichi’s appearance, he wears a simple monk’s robe on his body, a gilded bronze crown with glass beads on his head, and his hair tied up in a high bun behind it. The eyes are crystal-encrusted, byakugo on the forehead, the face is serene, with a solid painted moustache around the mouth and drooping earlobes. The mandorla rising behind the deity is elaborately carved in the form of a leaf; it bears six lotus flowers (some with miniature Buddhas) and a pagoda-like motif in the centre. Both the lotus flowers and the pagoda symbolise the stages of attaining Nirvana. The pagoda also symbolises meditation and awareness.

Radiocarbon tested.

From a French private collection

Dainichi Nyorai:

Dainichi Nyorai is the main deity of esoteric Buddhism, the Shingon and Tendai teachings, who is the embodiment of eternity and the originator of all other Buddhas and bodhisattvas. He embodies enlightenment, wisdom and the interconnectedness of all. In addition to carvings, he is often depicted in mandalas, where he takes a central role. According to the mandalas, there are two types of Dainichi deities: the Taizokai and the Kongokai Dainichi.

The Taizokai Dainichi depicts the deity in the world of the Womb, according to which the potential for enlightenment lies within each person, like the potential for new life in the womb. In this world, Dainichi symbolizes care.

In the Diamond world, Kongokai Dainichi represents the deity who believes that wisdom has the transformative power of a diamond that can cut through all illusions. In this world, Dainichi is present in an intrepid and indestructible form.