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Creating Unkei Buddhas [Part 5] The Face is the Life of a Buddha Statue

2025年10月26日 18:20

[The Third Restoration Has Begun]

I don't think it's lookism at all, but the face is everything when it comes to Buddha statues.
In terms of popularity, the Ashura statue at Kofuku-ji Temple leads the pack, followed by the Miroku Bosatsu Hanka Shii-zo at Koryu-ji Temple and the Taishakuten Hanka-zo at To-ji Temple—all of whom are beautiful youths, beauties, or handsome men.

Now, about the Jikokuten kit that finished its second restoration, I just can't be satisfied with it.
The face is wrong.
The great master sculptor in my heart scolds me, saying, 'This is no good. Do it over.'

At the completion of the second restoration. The impression of the face is somehow different.

I thought I had put a lot of work into it, but the eyes are still like acorns.
Many so-called Four Heavenly Kings statues have their eyes wide open. The Komokuten at the Kofuku-ji Chukondo Hall has a truly furious expression, and perhaps I was swayed by that impression.

Looking at the catalog *1 of the 'Unkei Exhibition' held at the Tokyo National Museum in 2017, this Jikokuten looks less like he has a furious expression and more like he is trying to lecture a clumsy little sculptor modeler (that's me).
It is said that the theory that this statue was made by Tankei is strong these days, but it also looks as if Unkei is admonishing his eldest son, saying, 'You still have a long way to go. Keep practicing.'

So, following the voice of the great master sculptor in my heart, here is the kit that the little sculptor modeler has restored for the third time.

Can you tell that I narrowed the eyes a little? I was aiming for the gyogan (crystal eyes) of the Eko Doji standing statue at Kongobu-ji Temple on Mt. Koya, but I fell far short. Regrettable.

Hmm. I think the pupils might be a little too small, but when the LED is turned off, it doesn't bother me that much—or rather, this might actually be a better impression.

When the LED is turned off, the eyes look pupil-heavy, and although it's not quite like crystal eyes, because I inserted transparent plastic, the whites of the eyes feel somewhat bright (or so I think).

Hmm, what have I done?
Perhaps the very idea of using an LED instead of crystal eyes was wrong. The real thing has carved eyes, after all.

Well, it's fine.
I will continue to practice, practice (a fourth restoration is possible, you know).

*1 'Kofuku-ji Chukondo Reconstruction Commemorative Special Exhibition "Unkei"' (Catalog), Tokyo National Museum, 2017, pp. 148-167

Bonus

Since I've come this far, please enjoy the record of sweat and tears from the kit's creation to its third restoration.

1. I test-assembled the kit unpainted. The eyeballs are larger than the real thing, but the impact is sufficient.
2. During kit construction. I added red to the outline of the pupils. It didn't go well.
3. The first restoration failed, and the LEDs in both eyes collapsed.
4. Started the second restoration. I had to insert the transparent plastic rods for both eyes from the front, resulting in bulging eyes.

5. I tried applying a generous amount of putty to the upper eyelids. Still bulging eyes.
6. I applied putty to the lower eyelids as well, repainted, and completed the second restoration.
7. Entered the third restoration. I tried to fix it with more putty, but...
8. I still have complaints, but for now, the third restoration is complete.

[Part 6] Be with the Crystal Eyes (Part 1) continues to
[Part 4] I want to get as close as possible to the impression of the Unkei Exhibition back to
[Part 1] First, restore the 'Jikokuten Ancient Coloring' back to