Over time, Buddhism has expanded from its initial roots in India and spread to other parts of the world. Historians believe that Buddhism came to be known in China around the second century B.C. The earliest representations of Buddhas are seen to date to second and third century. Indian prototypes of Buddhist sculpture carries powerful physique and thin clothing while the Chinese prototypes feature thin bodies with thick clothing (Chinese Buddhist Sculpture 2010). The earliest complex Japanese art is connected with the spread of Buddhism in the seventh and eighth centuries C.E (Japanese art 2014). Imperial courts and aristocratic clans sustained arts in Japan for centuries, and later urbanization and industrialization created a thriving market for art .The earliest Japanese sculptures of the Buddha date from sixth and seventh century.
Chinese Buddha
Sourse: Li, L. (2011). Painted Bodhisattva clay Statue. [image] Available at: https://books.google.co.in/books?id=_sGoi1O1_nsC&pg=PA96&lpg=PA96&dq=Buddha+statue+from+the+Gongxian+Caves&source=bl&ots=AI132nX5h4&sig=jmuqDmU_mRbE2UT-xIFWNq1yvK4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-gPuQt6jLAhXQGI4KHQS6AXEQ6AEIRjAM#v=onepage&q=Buddha%20statue%20from%20the%20Gongxian%20Caves&f=false [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].
The Chinese Buddha statues were done in metal, ceramic, stone and wood. There was a tendency to use bright colors. There are hundreds of caves in Mogoa Grottoes that house thousands of clay sculptures of Buddha. A good example can be taken from the painted statue of Buddha from Tang Dynasty. Buddha stands in a meditative pose and his skin tone of pale pink contrasts with the green robes he wears. His face and body are slightly plump. His face is typical with long ears but plumper. His eyes are almost closed, reflecting a deep meditative state. One can see rings around his neck that reflect because of the plump body. His hair is done in a high bun and the eyes, eyebrow and hair are painted black. The green robe carries a detailed artwork and design and is draped over the body in atypical Chinese form. The painted Bodhisattva clay sculpture reflects the aesthetic taste of that time along with the design and carving techniques.
Japanese BuddhaSource: Yakushi Nyorai, Yakushi Tathāgata (2011). Yakushi Nyorai. [image] Available at: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/yakushi.shtml [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].
The Japanese Buddha statues were done in wood primarily, and great attention was paid to the realistic features & proportions. Buddhism's introduction in Japan initiated a devotional cult of Yakushi Nyorai or the Medicine Buddha. Yakushi Nyorai done in wood, late 7th Century from Hōrin-ji Temple is among the finest examples. The body is seated and is perfectly proportioned, and the facial expressions are austere. Typically the right hand is in a wish-granting mudra while the left hand rests with the palm facing up and the middle finger raised. Sometimes, the left hand of the deity held medicinal jars. The face is elongated, and the ears are very long. His hair is shown with ringlets. There is a halo behind the face that carries artwork and designs. The face looks powerful and has a majestic expression. Japanese Buddha wears thick robes that cover his body and are simpler in nature as compared to the Chinese Buddha, who has intricate designs on the robes. The eyes of Japanese Buddha are completely closed as to the partial gaze in Chinese Buddha. There is a more natural portrayal of the drapery in the Japanese Buddha. The solemn facial expressions and the decorated halo make the Japanese Buddha statue more interesting. The skin of the painted Bodhisattva clay sculpture is done in flesh tones and shows the historic, artistic achievements of the ancient cultures of the Chinese people. The combination of colorful structure and surface was artful. The seated Buddha at Yakushi Nyorai Horyuji Temple helps in the understanding of early statues of Yakushi styles and the techniques used in creating them. Some of the features and clothing in the statue carry Indian influences, especially the way Buddha’s hair is done with those spiraling curls. The Mogoa Grottoes of the Tang dynasty show the typical art style used for Buddhism in China where colors were used to show the contrast.Works Cited"Chinese Buddhist Sculpture.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2010. Web. 5 March. 2016.
"Japanese art.” New world encyclopedia. 2014. Web. 5 March. 2016.
