ASUKA: Most of the face of the seventh-century Asuka Great Buddha, the main image at Asukadera temple, is original, despite historical records suggesting it was damaged in a fire centuries later, researchers have determined.

The 275-centimeter-tall Buddha statue is believed to have been cast by Kuratsukurino Tori and completed in 609. It was a national treasure before World War II, but under the postwar Protection of Cultural Properties Law it did not receive this designation, due to the unclear status of its heritage. It has been designated an important cultural property.

According to the records, the Asuka Great Buddha was damaged in a fire in the Kamakura period (late 12th century to early 14th century). It is believed to be the first Buddha image cast in Japan.

“We believe most of the face is from the seventh century, when it was made,” said Osaka University Prof Yutaka Fujioka, an expert on Eastern art history who was involved in the research.

While there are various theories on the statue’s history, including that much of it was repaired generations later, the new finding indicates that some important parts are original.

The study was conducted in June by about 30 researchers from Osaka University, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, South Korea’s National Museum of Korea and other institutions.

The group examined the face and torso in the context of the period when the statue was made.

There are no joints in the eyes, jaw, forehead or other parts of the face, which is made of a single piece, so the researchers determined this area to be original. They also said its style is similar to other Asuka Buddha statues in the prefecture and other locations in Japan.

Small copper plates affixed to the face are thought to be areas where the surface was repaired during the initial work. Using X-ray fluorescence, the group analysed 76 locations on the statue.

Ancient Buddha statues made of bronze with gold plate contain less than one per cent lead and arsenic. By examining the percentages of these elements, the researchers found the face and head contained a larger amount of lead, while the torso contained more arsenic, which indicated they were manufactured at different times with different techniques.

The craftsmanship of the torso is noticeably rougher than the fine detail of the face, such as in the representation of the clothing. The group believes the statue was repaired soon after it was damaged in a fire caused by a lightning strike in 1196.

A preliminary examination carried out in summer last year of areas below the neck indicated that the right hand was original.

“We determined that much of the face and right hand are original, based on a comprehensive examination of the state of the materials and the surface, and of the molding and casting techniques,” Fujioka said. “This may be a wonderful opportunity to reexamine the value of the Asuka Great Buddha as an object that preserves the original characteristics of Japanese Buddhism.”

The group’s findings were presented on Nov 13 at the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara in Nara Prefecture.

Masashi Kinoshita, a professor emeritus of archaeology at Tokyo Gakugei University, said: “To corroborate the existence of original parts by using natural, scientific and other methods is incredibly significant. The face retains the characteristics of the Asuka period, so it could be used as a means to restore the entire statue. It could also provide a basis for considering its re-designation as a national treasure, as the Shakasanzonzo statues at Horyuji temple were based on it.”—Japan News

Published in Dawn December 7th, 2016