Jizō Bosatsu, late 12th-mid-13th century (Kamakura period, Japan), wood with lacquer, gold leaf, cutout gold foil decoration, and color, 188.6 cm high (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
You know, I always wonder about how the pieces get to their modern place of display. I didn't know where the metropolitan museum of art was (cause I'm a pleb) so I looked it up and found out it's in Manhattan NY. It just seems odd to me that a piece of Japanese culture should be taken from its place of cultural origin and brought to the west for our viewing pleasure, especially in an age where we have total access to it digitally anyways. It doesn't sit right with me but I can't articulate why exactly. I guess there's a sense of cultural stories being appropriated and examined through someone else's lens that seems unfair and problematic, but what those problems are exactly, I can't say with any conviction. Anyway, what an interesting look into a symbol of Buddhist ideals this was. Looking forward to more east Asian content
A bodhisattva is better seen as a manifestation of an aspect of Enlightened Consciousness. Jizo or Ksitigharba is the Bodhisattva of Consecrated or Right Action. He is the embodiment of the Enlightened Consciousness’ commitment to actions that reduce the suffering of others. Jizo is the Japanese interpretation Ksitigharba Bodhisattva. Like Kuan-yin is the Chinese interpretation and female aspect of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva of Compassion.
