Understanding Japanese Buddhist Sculpture Through Visual Comparison - by Yoshihiro Suzuki (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A beginner's guide to appreciating Buddha statues from a whole new perspective.

This book is an introductory guide to help you familiarize yourself with Buddhist sculpture, and the basic principal behind the book is understanding Buddhist sculpture through visual comparison. Avoiding explanations of Buddhist iconography, sculptural techniques, and the cultural and historical background of the works, this book aims to help you cultivate the ability to fully observe the expressiveness of Buddhist sculpture. By applying the steps and way of viewing recommended in this book, the impressions you have gained with your own eyes will leave a deeper impression in your mind, allowing you to make new discoveries each time you view a Buddhist statue, and also to deepen your appreciation. Armed with this book, you'll find yourself consulting only the most basic information required as your own knowledge expands and you are guided to a more profound understanding of the world of Buddhist sculpture.

From the Back Cover

When we look a Buddhist statue relying on information we have previously learned about types, periods, and creators of the statue, we tend to walk by the statue after scanning the caption and giving only a casual glance at its appearance and little thought to how it was made. Once we confirm the previously learned information about the statue, the statue itself immediately begins to fade from our minds. What then would be helpful in providing a more lasting appreciation of such works? This book introduces the necessary steps and a way to view Buddhist sculpture that will lead to a deeper appreciation. By applying the basic steps and way of viewing recommended in this book, you can deepen the impressions that you gain with your own eyes. This will allow you to make new discoveries each time you view a Buddhist sculpture, as well as deepening your understanding. Armed with this book, you'll find yourself needing to consult only the most basic information as your own knowledge expands and you are guided to a more profound understanding of the world of Buddhist sculpture.