Icon Plaque (Kakebotoke) with Bosatsu
13th century
Medium
Wood and bronze
Dimensions
Diam.: 53.5 cm (21 1/8 in.)
Classification
wood
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
90756
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Kannon, the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion, sits in the center of this icon plaque. Along the outer rim, four sets of dharma wheels represent the teachings of the Buddha, and two vajras (the pronged objects attached to hoops) signify weapons used to destroy evil. In the inner circle, wish-granting jewels on either side of Kannon? stand for the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Buddhist law (dharma), and the community of believers (sangha). Icon plaques (kakebotoke) bearing the like...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...