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Eleven-Headed Deity of Compassion (Juichimen Kannon), 13th century. Creator: Unknown
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Eleven-Headed Deity of Compassion (Juichimen Kannon), 13th century. Creator: Unknown
Eleven-Headed Deity of Compassion (Juichimen Kannon), 13th century. The Eleven-Headed Kannon, a deity of mercy and compassion in the Buddhist pantheon, was introduced into Japan in the 600s. By the 700s it had gained in popularity among an increasing number of believers, a condition it enjoyed until the end of the Kamakura period. The modest size and high quality of the materials apparent in this work indicate its use as a private devotional image. An earlier restoration of this painting included the use of an entire silk backing layer rather than silk patches with a paper backing. The tension that resulted between these two layers of silk, one old and the other recent, caused serious cracking to occur in the paintings surface. Moreover, the silk backing had been dyed a dark tone which did not enhance the appearance of the painting, although it did help hide damaged areas in the surface silk. Now two layers of backing paper support the painting, with its carefully fitted silk patches. These are toned slightly differently from the original surface values so that viewers can distinguish between the original and the modern restored areas. The original metal fittings have also been cleaned and reused. Other replacement fittings were deemed inappropriate for this early religious image and so new, specially designed ones are now in place
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Media ID 19629759
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This print showcases the Eleven-Headed Deity of Compassion (Juichimen Kannon), a revered figure in the Buddhist pantheon, dating back to the 13th century. Created by an unknown artist, this artwork represents the deity's significance and popularity among believers during Japan's Kamakura period. The modest size and exquisite craftsmanship of this piece suggest its purpose as a personal devotional image. However, over time, restoration became necessary due to cracks that had formed on the painting's surface. An earlier attempt at restoration involved using an entire silk backing layer, which caused tension between old and new layers and further damage to occur. To rectify these issues, two layers of backing paper now support the painting along with carefully fitted silk patches. These patches have been subtly toned differently from the original surface values so that viewers can distinguish between restored areas and the authentic ones. Additionally, original metal fittings have been cleaned and reused while specially designed replacements were chosen for other damaged parts deemed inappropriate for such a historically significant religious image. Preserved by Heritage Art/Heritage Images, this print not only captures the beauty of this ancient artwork but also highlights its historical importance in Japanese Buddhism. It serves as a testament to both human devotion and our ongoing efforts to preserve cultural heritage for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
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