Juichimen Kannon (3 of 3) (Ekadasamuhka)
The eleven-headed Kannon Bodhisattva, Juichimen, is shown here standing atop a tiered lotus—a symbol of Buddhist teachings. The small heads that derive from the image’s primary head express the manifold ways in which the Juichimen hears, observes, and meets the needs of all sentient beings.
In common with the other images of the Juichimen, the right hand is pointing to the ground in the wish-granting mudra. The left supports a lotus in a vase. This image stands 303 centimeters high and dates to 1242. The strong features and powerful countenance of the deity were not typical in sculptures crafted at this time. It was made using the yosegi-zukuri or joined-block construction technique where several pieces of wood were joined together to form the body of the sculpture.