sanzonbutsu　三尊仏

KEY WORD :　 art history / sculptures

Also sanzonzou 三尊像, sanzon 三尊. A set of three Buddhist deities appearing together. They form a triad with the principal image *chuuson 中尊 in the centre, and an attendant *kyouji 脇侍 on each side. Sanzonbutsu are often named according to the principal deity; for example Yakushi sanzonbutsu 薬師三尊仏 is a triad of *Yakushi 薬師 with two attendants, and Amida sanzonbutsu 阿弥陀三尊仏 shows *Amida 阿弥陀　with two attendants. Frequent triads include Amida appearing with *Kannon 観音 and *Seishi 勢至 as attendants, Yakushi depicted with *Nikkou Gakkou 日光・月光, and *Shaka 釈迦 with *Monju 文殊 and *Fugen 普賢. These groupings are based on Buddhist scripture and were firmly established in Japan in the Nara period (645-794), so statues made prior to this period do not necessarily follow this pattern. The Shaka sanzonzou 釈迦三尊像 in Houryuuji *Kondou 法隆寺金堂 (Nara), for example, shows Shaka attended by Yakuou 薬王 and Yakujou 薬上. In the Heian period, with the introduction of esoteric Buddhism, a large number and variety of sanzonbutsu were made. Especially important examples are the figures of *Fudou Myouou 不動明王 accompanied by *Kongara douji 矜羯羅童子 and *Seitaka douji 制た迦童子, and *Bishamonten 毘沙門天 attended by *Kichijouten 吉祥天 and Zennishi douji 善膩師童子.

REFERENCES:

EXTERNAL LINKS:

NOTES:

(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.　No reproduction or republication without written permission. 掲載のテキスト・写真・イラストなど、全てのコンテンツの無断複製・転載を禁じます。