Unit 3 Assignment by Madelyn Zeledon

Bird Shaped Ewer with Daoist Priest

mrosezeledon — 2022-09-15 06:11:52 UTC

This is an example of the celadon glaze ceramic pieces that were very popular in the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea. As you can see, the bluish-green glaze is present in this ewer, very similar to the other celadon ceramic pieces we learned in class. This piece was specifically for ritual/ceremonial purposes which is why it has a Daoist figure on top of the duck, as we have learned in class, celadon pottery was so popular that it was used for special purposes (like this one) and everyday use. The Daoist influence also shows the influence China had on Korea, in both art and religion, since both celadon ware and Daoism originate from China.

Citation: Bird Shaped Ewer with Daoist Priest, Goryeo Dynasty-12th Century, Art Institute Chicago, https://www.artic.edu/artworks/22525/bird-shaped-ewer-with-daoist-priest, accessed April 24, 2025.

Seated Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha)

mrosezeledon — 2022-09-15 06:20:15 UTC

This is a Japanese wooden sculpture of the Amitabha Buddha, the version of Buddha that was worshipped in Pure Land Buddhism which circulated around Japan along with Esoteric Buddhism. In the Buddha's lap/leg area we can see the influence of the Chinese Mature Northern Wei style in how the folds/drapery of the fabric is stylized. There is also the fact that this is a wooden sculpture, wood sculptures were very popular in Japanese art in this period (like the ones we went over in class). It is also noted that there is lacquer present which the Japanese incorporated in a lot of their crafts, arts, daily objects, and armor.

Citation: Seated Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha), 975-1025 Heian Period, SF Asian Art Museum, https://searchcollection.asianart.org/objects/9711/seated-amida-nyorai-amitabha-buddha?ctx=38bd255f54869fdd54fa797525b2ef3dbf27cf96&idx=23, accessed May 1, 2025.

Standing Vajradhara (Nio)

mrosezeledon — 2022-09-15 06:40:46 UTC

This is a Japanese wooden sculpture of Vajradhara, who is known to be a significant character of Esoteric Buddhism, which was a section of Buddhism that was very popular in Heian era Japan. This wooden sculpture is very similarly styled like other wooden sculptures we have learned (Shukong-Jin and Fudo Myoo specifically) in the way that he is posed. The figure looks very strong and powerful, like someone you don't want to mess with especially with his very fierce and aggressive facial expression. There are also qualities that indicate his association with Buddhism, he was the long earlobes and what looks to be an urna and ushnisha.

Citation: Standing Vajradhara (Nio), Heian Period (794-1185), SF Asian Art Museum, https://searchcollection.asianart.org/objects/9716/standing-vajradhara-nio?ctx=b470b46e85dec9d52581480d50e6e6856bd3ae45&idx=41, accessed May 1, 2025.