Container for a Buddhist text
Place of OriginJapan
Date1100-1200
PeriodHeian period (794-1185)
MaterialsBronze
DimensionsH. 11 in x W. 4 1/4 in x D. 4 1/4 in, H. 27.9 cm x W. 10.8 cm x D. 10.8 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60B310.a-.b
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsMetal Arts
On View
On viewLocationGallery 26
More InformationDuring the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the idea that Buddhism was entering a degenerate age, when it would become difficult or impossible to attain enlightenment, became prevalent in Japan. Many Buddhists believed it imperative to preserve the Buddha’s words in the form of texts until Maitreya, the buddha of the future (Japanese: Miroku), would appear to rescue humankind and revive Buddhist teachings. Buddhist texts written on paper scrolls were placed in cylindrical containers such as this one called sutra containers (kyozutsu). Like precious time capsules, they were further secured in ceramic or stone cases and buried in mounds. More than two hundred such mounds have been discovered.
Subject
- Buddhism
approx. 1850-1900
approx. 1000-1100
approx. 1800-1900
approx. 1800-1850
approx. 1850-1900
