Jizō, the Bodhisattva of the Earth Store

late 12th–mid-13th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 224

Here, the bodhisattva Jizō (Sanskrit: Kshitigarbha) takes the guise of an itinerant monk. He holds in his left hand a wish-fulfilling jewel and in his right a monk’s staff topped with six rings that jingle to announce his arrival. Jizō’s compassionate presence illuminates the righteous way from hell to paradise, and he saves from harm those who call out to him.

The beautiful flowing movement of the garment helps date this work to the early Kamakura period. The lower half of the sculpture bears traces of richly colored paint and cut-gold decoration, providing a rare glimpse of the work’s original appearance.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

地蔵菩薩像
Title: Jizō, the Bodhisattva of the Earth Store
Period: Kamakura period (1185–1333)
Date: late 12th–mid-13th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Wood with lacquer, gold leaf, cut gold leaf (kirikane), and color
Dimensions: Figure with base: H. 71 1/2 in. (181.6 cm); W. 28 1/2 in. (72.4 cm); D. 22 1/2 in. (57.4 cm)
Figure with base and staff: H. 74 1/4 in. (188.6 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
Object Number: 18.93
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Finial of a Buddhist Monk’s Staff (Shakujō), Bronze, Japan — Finial of a Buddhist Monk’s Staff (Shakujō)
Japan

Jizō, Bodhisattva of the Earth Store (Kshitigarbha), Wood with lacquer, pigment, and cut gold, Japan — Jizō, Bodhisattva of the Earth Store (Kshitigarbha)
Japan
14th century

Guardian Figure (Ni-Ten), Painted wood, Japan — Guardian Figure (Ni-Ten)
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11th century

The Bodhisattva Jizō, Intan Japanese, Japanese cypress wood (hinoki) with polychrome pigments, gold paint (kindei), cut gold leaf (kirikane), and rock-crystal eyes, Japan — The Bodhisattva Jizō
Intan
1291

Attendant Bodhisattva Kannon, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan — Attendant Bodhisattva Kannon
Japan
late 12th–13th century

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