Gold lacquered Bodhisattva Nyoirin Kannon

Edo Period, c. 1800

Gold Lacquer on Wood

Japan

H: 29cm W: 14.5cm x D:10cm

The Bodhisattva Nyoirin Kannon is depicted sitting on a double lotus pedestal placed on top of a bed of exposed rocks. Behind Kannon is a gold finished mandorla which has been decorated with a series of swirls and a central halo, framing Kannon’s head. Kannon herself is depicted sitting with one leg raised, her outer hands in the varada mudra position with the sacred jewel (nyoi) placed at the centre of her forehead. Her lotus pedestal and clothes have been finished in a rich gold lacquer.

Kannon is a popular Buddhist deity. She is often depicted as female in East Asia, but South Asian renditions of Kannon are also known to be male. In the Japanese Buddhist tradition, Kannon is the bodhisattva to pray to when one is suffering or needs a wish to be granted. In Japan, there are several different types of Kannon such as ‘thousand arm’ Kannon and ‘White robe’ Kannon. The name ‘Nyoirin’ Kannon is said to represent both the sacred jewel (nyoi hoju), said to be capable of granting any wish, and the Buddhist dharma wheel (Horin).