地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Kofukuji National Treasure Hall

Statue of Ashura

National Treasure

Ashura is a demigod of the realm of desire—one of three realms of rebirth in Buddhist cosmology. The gentle, youthful and lively expressions of its three faces give it an appeal unrivaled by other statues of its time. The slender figure is clothed in flowing, realistic robes and trousers. Its uppermost hands would have held symbols of the sun and moon, and the middle ones a bow and arrow. The foremost hands are clasped in prayer, perhaps expressing repentance while listening to the teachings of Buddha.

Ashura are among the Hindu deities incorporated into Buddhism. They are usually depicted as armored, muscular beings with red faces and fangs, but the front face of this statue has an almost contrite expression. The side faces betray resentment—the one on the statue’s right appears to be biting its lower lip.

The statue stands 153.4 cm tall, and is made of dry lacquer, in which process lacquer is layered over hemp fabric over a hollow core. It is dated to 734. Computed tomography scans have shown that beneath the front face is another countenance with deeply knitted brows and an open mouth. Some scholars believe that the patroness of the statue, Empress Komyo (701–760), the daughter of Kofukuji’s founding patron, Fujiwara no Fuhito (659–720), had this face covered up and re-lacquered with a boyish one as a tribute to her son, the crown prince, who died before his first birthday.

國寶館

阿修羅像（八部眾）

國寶

佛教中引入了許多印度教神明，阿修羅正是其中之一。他們是半神，身處佛家三界輪回中的欲界。

這尊阿修羅像的歷史可以追溯到西元734年。塑像高153.4公分，身形苗條，身上的披紗與褲子線條流暢、逼真。最高的一雙手原本應當擎著代表太陽和月亮的法器，中層的雙手持弓與箭。正前方雙手合十，或許是正在聆聽佛陀教誨，表示悔過。

通常，阿修羅都表現為紅面獠牙、身披戰甲、健壯有力的形象，但這裏的三張面孔卻溫和、年輕、表情生動，有著同時代其他塑像所不具備的吸引力。正面臉上的表情近似於悔悟。側面兩張面孔卻隱隱透出幾分怨忿，其中，右側的面孔像是忍不住要開始嚙咬下嘴唇了。

這尊像采用幹漆夾纻工藝製作，即在一個中空的泥塑胎心上包裹麻布，刷漆塑形，待幹燥後脫模成型。CT掃描顯示，如今的神像正臉下還藏著另一張眉頭緊鎖、張著嘴的面孔。有學者相信，這與出資塑像的光明皇後（701-760）有關。她是興福寺建寺資助者藤原不比等（659-720）的女兒。也許，要求將塑像原本的面孔改為如今的少年氣模樣，是為了紀念她的兒子，不滿一歲就不幸夭折的皇太子。

国宝馆

阿修罗像（八部众）

国宝

佛教中引入了许多印度教神明，阿修罗正是其中之一。他们是半神，身处佛家三界轮回中的欲界。

这尊阿修罗像的历史可以追溯到公元734年。塑像高153.4厘米，身形苗条，身上的披纱与裤子线条流畅、逼真。最高的一双手原本应当擎着代表太阳和月亮的法器，中层的双手持弓与箭。正前方双手合十，或许是正在聆听佛陀教诲，表示悔过。

通常，阿修罗都表现为红面獠牙、身披战甲、健壮有力的形象，但这里的三张面孔却温和、年轻、表情生动，有着同时代其他塑像所不具备的吸引力。正面脸上的表情近似于悔悟。侧面两张面孔却隐隐透出几分怨忿，其中，右侧的面孔像是忍不住要开始啮咬下嘴唇了。

这尊像采用干漆夹纻工艺制作，即在一个中空的泥塑胎心上包裹麻布，刷漆塑形，待干燥后脱模成型。CT扫描显示，如今的神像正脸下还藏着另一张眉头紧锁、张着嘴的面孔。有学者相信，这与出资塑像的光明皇后(701-760)有关。她是兴福寺建寺资助者藤原不比等(659-720)的女儿。也许，要求将塑像原本的面孔改为如今的少年气模样，是为了纪念她的儿子，不满一岁就不幸夭折的皇太子。