080073 UE Introduction to Japanese Buddhist Sculptures (2018W)

Buddhism was developed in India around the 5th century BC and reached China during the 1st century AD. From China, Buddhism continued its movement eastward, disseminating its doctrines steadily and converting lands along its path. Japan is the end node of the nexus formed by the eastward spread of Buddhism. When Buddhism arrived in Japan in 538AD, it brought in not only a new religion to the archipelago, but also the latest technologies and cultures from the continent. This catalysed a series of social, political and cultural changes that transformed the early Japanese society. Buddhism is interlaced with the development of the Japanese society not only in the initial phase, but also in all subsequent periods, seeing its role as an instrument in diplomatic affairs, a significant participant in domestic politics and a spiritual guide to the people. Buddhism has played a crucial part in the unfolding of the Japanese history and remains close to the heart of every Japanese person even till the present day.
The course tries to contour the development of Buddhism in Japan, and focuses, in particular, on the study of Japanese Buddhist sculptures. Not only do Buddhist sculptures constitute the main visual records of Japanese Buddhism, they are one of the most praised genres of Japanese art as well. The course introduces to Japanese Buddhist sculptural art by discussing key pieces from each period. The course will begin with monographic studies of a few selected Buddhist sculptures, allowing time and patience to discuss their type, iconography, style, technology as well as the Buddhist philosophy and sutras in which these imageries are rooted. After students have acquired a basic understanding of how to approach a Buddhist statue, read its formal/iconographical characteristics and interpret it in the social and religious context, the course will then delve into the unique features of each stylistic phase in Japan, while giving attention to interesting historical issues and unresolved scholarly debates. By the end of the course, students should obtain the essential knowledge of the history of the Japanese Buddhist art and be able to analyse a Buddhist sculpture independently. During the course, comparisons with Chinese and Korean Buddhist icons will also be drawn whenever necessary as these sculptures are both a result and a perfect illustration of the changing patterns of cross-border cultural exchanges in the East Asia. The study of Buddhist art can be used as a gateway to gain insights into the complexity of interstate interactions in the East Asia.