Portrait of Prince Shotoku (aged 14) as a Pilgrim
Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
late 14th century -
Geography
Japan -
Material
Ink and color on silk -
Dimension
H x W (image): 125.2 × 69.3 cm (49 5/16 × 27 5/16 in) -
Accession Number
F1962.13a-f -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1962.13a-f
Object Details
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Label
In the mid-sixth century, the Korean kingdom of Paekche petitioned an alliance with Japan. Two powerful Japanese clans, the Mononobe and Soga, vied for power, and after years of contention the Soga emerged victorious. A Soga, Suiko (554-628), was installed in 592 as empress of Japan; her nephew Prince Shotoku (Shotoku Taishi, 574-622) became regent and was an effective administrator who implemented pragmatic legal codes that encouraged centralization among Japan's many clans. Although he was a devout Buddhist, Shotoku nevertheless understood religion as a tool for state unification and a vehicle of continental culture.A cult of Prince Shotoku developed soon after his death and became particularly strong in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, a period of political and social unrest. Shotoku was evoked as a national founding figure and understood as a manifestation of various bodhisattvas (enlightened beings). In this unusual image, Shotoku wears the monk's robe and carries the attributes associated with Jizo Bosatsu, but retains his traditional, easily recognizable hairstyle. The resultant image suggests a melding of national and spiritual savior roles. -
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Facing East: Portraits from Asia (July 1 to September 4, 2006)Telling Tales in Japanese Art (November 23, 1996 to August 14, 1997)Portraiture from Japan (July 1, 1983 to April 5, 1984)Japanese Art (April 11, 1978 to March 6, 1981)Chinese and Japanese Art--Lacquer and Paintings (August 18, 1967 to October 14, 1969) -
Origin
Japan -
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment -
Type
Painting -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
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