Two person exhibition
by Bishin Jumonji & Mitsukuni Takimoto

Date:

November 13 – 25, 2013

Address:

GALLERY B
1-7-22 Yukinoshita, Kamakura-shi
248-0005 Kanagawa-ken, Japan [map]

Time:

11:00 – 18:00

Closures:

Tuesday

Tel:

+81-467-61-3755

Fax:

+81-467-22-3472

“ZANKETSU” Bishin Jumonji

Festival of Japanese culture “JapanMania”
on September 13-15 at KyivExpoPlaza (Kiev, Salyutnaya, 2-b)
Directions:
from the metro station “Nyvky”
mp number 5, 26, 36
av number 14, 23, 32
Plan route number 410, 451, 465, 501, 575
to stop “Salyutna”
http://japanmania.kiev.ua/

“ZANKETSU”
The subjects in the displayed photos give a powerful impression of real parts of human body. They are actually wooden sculptures. Inclusive of the torso, each piece is carved from one solid wood. The complete statue is 300cm tall. These pieces are the works from the era when the artisans pursued the dynamism of muscle and skeletal structure as lively as possible.

The subjects are the “ZANKETSU” (the incomplete relics) of “Kongo-rikishi statue”. I found them in the Tendai-shu Buddhist temple at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba located 150km northeast of Tokyo. The Kongo-rikishi statue stands at the temple gate and guards the temple from evil spirits. This statue was created in 13th century. The time is named Kamakura period in Japan. These subjects are the “ZANKETSU” of over 800 years.

It is assumed that the artisans of sculptor group “KEI-HA” who had their workshop in Nara, a culturally advanced metropolis in those days, traveled over to the temple and worked on the statue.

A statue of Buddha in its integrity tends to limit its artistic aspect only in the existing context of Buddhism or Buddhist image rather than simply as a sculpture or an art work. However, the photos of “ZANKETSU” shed a powerful light on the days when they were created and the artisans’ flesh and blood ambition toward expression. “ZANKETSU” presents vivid realism. That is just perfect for the photographic expression. That is the reason why I take the photos of “ZANKETSU”.

Bishin Jumonji

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