Joint Research Relating to the Influence of Korean Reliquaries on those of Japan

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Ancient Japanese reliquaries (Sarira containers) are thought to have been made under direct influence from Korea. This joint research project was aimed at clarifying this point, examining in particular the metalwork techniques used in examples from both countries.During the term of this project (1988 to 1991), we have conducted three trips to Korea for research. Thanks to the kind support of the National Museum of Korea, we have been able to gather important data on this subject. In the first and second trips, we examined reliquaries in the collections of the National Museum of Korea in Seoul and the Kyongiu National Museum primarily the reliquaries from Kamun-sa, Pulguk-sa, Hwangryong-sa, and Hwangbog-sa. In the third, we surveyed the pagodas where these had originally been placed. In Japan, we have conducted in depth research on objects found at the site of the pagoda of Sufuku-ji.The research trips have enabled us to ascertain the following :the nanako, (a stippling technique) used in the reliquary of Kamun-sa (682 A. D.) and that of a reliquary and an iron mirror from Sufuku-ji (each 668 A. D.) are similar in shape. Nanako was a popular metalwork technique during the Unified Silla a Period, and no earlier example is known in Japan than in Japan than the Sufuku-ji objects. The fukurentenmon, (pairs of embossed dots) also appearing on the Kamun-sa, may be compared with the same technique seen on gilt bronze Buddhist images among the Horyu-ji Treasures. Therefore, we have confirmed that these metalwork techniques had been introduced to Japan from Unified Silla in the 660's A. D., around the time of the foundation of Sufuku-ji.Articles on this subject and one on the "Four Heavenly Kings" on the reliquary of Kamun-sa were published in "ARS BUDDHICA", no. 188, (1990).