Reproductions of the Gakkō Bosatsu [Skt. Candraprabha] Belonging to Tokyo University of the Arts and the Nikkō Bosatsu [Skt. Sūryaprabha] Belonging to the Tokyo National Museum.

Sculptor: Shirasawa Yōji (2013)

These two statues are said to have originally been made to accompany a statue of Yakushi Nyorai [Skt. Bhaisajyaguru] belonging to Kōzanji Temple. Being both cheaper and quicker to produce, the mokushin kanshitu (wood-core dry lacquer) technique used to be considered a simplified method to replace the dakkatsu kanshitsu [hollow dry lacquer] technique. However, by actually producing a statue using this technique, it was realized that the wooden core took careful planning and the work required a great deal of time and thought throughout in order to achieve the sculptor’s ideal image. It can be said that object of creating the wood-core is to provide the figure with a skeleton, facilitating the creation of a more sculptural work.