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jirenge@Ž˜@‰Ψ
KEY WORD :@art history / sculptures
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An object shaped like a lotus bud and stem used in Buddhist rituals, particularly favored by the Ji Žž sect. Usually made of wood, it may be held instead of a rosary between the middle fingers of the hands when clasped in prayer. Occasionally a wheel (like the tenbourin “]–@—Φ which is turned in Buddhist rituals) is attached to the bottom of the stem. An ancient Buddhist symbol, the lotus represents the purity of Buddha in this defiled world (see *rengeza ˜@‰Ψΐ). A fully-open lotus, kaifu renge ŠJ•~˜@‰Ψ symbolizes the attainment of enlightenment, while the unopened lotus bud, mikaifu renge –’ŠJ•~˜@‰Ψ symbolizes an ordinary person who seeks enlightenment and has requested help from *Amida ˆ’–ν‘Ι to be taken to paradise joudo ς“y. The late Kamakura period wooden jirenge (17.2cm) from Shouganji ΜŠθŽ› in Yamanashi prefecture is one of the oldest extant examples. It was discovered inside a seated image of Taa ‘Όˆ’ (1237-1319), who was the main disciple of *Ippen ˆκ•Υ (1339-89), founder of the Ji sect. There also are two Muromachi period examples owned by Saikouji ΌŒυŽ› in Shizuoka prefecture. Very similar to the jirenge is a hand-held attribute *jimotsu Ž•¨ for Buddhist images, especially of *Kannon ŠΟ‰Ή, in the form of a lotus bud.
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NOTES
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(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.@No reproduction or republication without written permission.
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