Standing Yakusa
Asian Art
On View: Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
Buddhists in Tibet and eastern Asia adopted worship of the Medicine Buddha, known in Sanskrit as Bhaisajyaguru. Buddhists pray to the Medicine Buddha for long life and specific cures, as well as for more spiritual forms of healing such as removal of ignorance and fear. In Korea he is known as Yagsa Yeorae. From the fourth to the ninth century, Korean Buddhists commissioned many small images in which this Buddha is usually shown holding a pot of medicine.
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
8th century
PERIOD
Unified Silla Period
DIMENSIONS
7 1/16 x 2 in. (18 x 5.1 cm)
with wood stand: 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
74.165
CREDIT LINE
Frank L. Babbott Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
From "Korean Art Collection in the Brooklyn Museum" catalogue:
This gilt-bronze statuette of a Buddha with a "plain head" (sobal) is topped with a large cranial bump (yukgye in Korean or ushnisha in Sanskrit). The shoulders, which are quite round and narrow, are draped with an outer robe. The inner robe, which is worn underneath and falls in oblique lines, is tied with a knot. The attire of the Buddha is in the Udayana style, characterized by the folds of the outer robe creating a U-form over the knees, a Y-shape between the legs, and a shirt-like lower robe falling to the ankles. Other distinctive features include a medicine bowl held in the left hand and a pedestal, which is believed to have been made and added at a later period.
CAPTION
Standing Yakusa, 8th century. Bronze, 7 1/16 x 2 in. (18 x 5.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 74.165. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.165_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 74.165_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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we welcome any additional information you might have.
This is so delicate!
Yes, for such a small statue, it has an incredible presence.
Buddhism became the state religion of Korea's Silla kingdom in the sixth century.
Small Buddhist images were likely created as objects of personal devotion and ensconced in the shrine in the devotee's home.
In his outstretched left hand, he is holding a small bowl containing medicine.
Thanks!