About this objectThis statue, catalogued as a female deity, has now been tentatively identified as a depiction of one the empresses of Japan, namely Empress Kōken/Shōtoku (718–770). She first reigned as Kōken from 749 to 758, then, after a rebellion, reascended the throne as Empress Shōtoku from 765 until her death in 770. She was a patron of Buddhism, founding a monastery but, most famously, sponsoring the production and distribution of 'One Million Dharani', one of which is exhibited here [EXH25].
Date Made1185–1332
PeriodKamakura period
Place MadeJapan
Subject and Association KeywordsArrivals
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Faces of Faith
