Jogan Period

Art Forms

(794-894)

Historical Context

• Early Heian or Jogan Period

• 794 Capital moved from Heijo-kyo to Heian-

kyo

• “Early Heian” used by political historians.

• “Jogan” used by art historians.

• Periods of High Artistic Achievement

• Konin Era (810-823)

• Jogan Era (859-876)

Esoteric

Buddhism

Esoteric Buddhism

(mikkyo)

• Tendai denomination

• Dengyo Daishi

(Saicho)

• Mt. Hiei (Hieizan)

Hieizan

Jogan

Monastic

Centers

Esoteric Buddhism

(mikkyo)• Shingon denomination

• Kobo Daishi (Kukai)

• Mt. Koya (Koyasan)

Jogan

Monastic

Centers

Koyasan

Goma (fire) Ritual

Jogan

ArchitectureMuro-ji Type-site

Muro-ji

“The Women’s

Koya-san”

kondo, Muro-ji

Characteristics

of

Jogan Architecture

• Thatched roof

• “Natural” setting

• On mountain side

• Veranda

• Stilts

• Divided interior

Cross-section of kondo

Muro-ji kondo Interior

Muro-ji

Pagoda

• 5-storied

• thatched roof

• relatively small

• natural

environment

5-storied

pagoda

Muro-ji

Kiyomizu-dera

Jogan

Sculpture

Yakushi-

nyorai

Jingo-ji

Kyoto

ichiboku

technique

Ichiboku (One-block) Technique

Yakushi Buddha

Jingo-ji

• Single block

(ichiboku) style

• Unhappy

expression

• Heavy features

• Wave drapery

(hompa shiki)

• Wet drapery

• Strict iconography

Yakushi

Buddha’s Head

• Heavy features

• Splits in wood

• Unsanded skin

surface

Muro-ji Shaka-do

Shaka-nyorai• Seated

• Single block

(ichiboku) style

• Unhappy

expression

• Heavy features

• Wave drapery

(hompa shiki)

• Wet drapery

• Strict iconography

Jogan Period

Painting

Mandalas

“The Two Mandalas”

• Kukai (Kobo Daishi) studied in China with

the Buddhist master Huiguo (746-805)

• It was Huiguo who combined the

teachings of the Dainichi-kyo and the

Kongocho-kyo.

• This melding is illustrated in art by THE

TWO MANDALAS.

Huiguo

Kukai

The Two Mandalas

Dainichi-kyoKongocho-kyo

Taizo-kai

(Womb World)

Two Dimensional

Three

Dimensional

West Wall

Fukujoju

Dainichi

Hoso

AmidaAshuku

Kongo-kai

(Diamond

World)East Wall

Dainichi

Fukujoju

Hoso

Amida Ashuku

Number FIVE

• Five Great Buddhas (Godai-butsu)

• Five Great Bodhisattvas (Godai-bosatsu)

• Five Great Kings of Light ( Godai-myo-o)

• Five Elements (Gogyo)

• Five Colors (Goshiki)

• Five Directions

• Five Senses (Goshiki)

• Five Wisdoms (Gochi)

Symbolism of Five

• East / Blue-Green / Wood / Spring /

Meditation

• South / Red / Fire / Summer / Zeal

• West / White / Wind / Autumn / Faith

• North / Black / Water / Winter / Wisdom

• Center / Yellow / Earth / Memory

Five Elements

• Space or Void (Black)

• Wind or Air (White)

• Fire (Red)

• Water (Yellow)

• Earth (Green/Blue)

Esoteric Buddhist

Six Elements

• Space ( void )

• Air (wind)

• Fire

• Water

• Earth

MIND (spiritual perception)

Inanimate

ElementsWomb World Mandala

Animating

ElementDiamond World Mandala

Mudra of Six

Elements

All Things Are

ONE

There is UNITY only when the sixth element is added.

Five

Elements

MIND

Sixth Element

The Two Mandalas

Kodo

To-ji

Altar Arrangement

Lecture Hall (kodo) at To-ji

Godai-myo-o

5 Great Kings of Light

Fudo

Fudo- myo-

o

To-ji

Fudo- myo-

o• Manifestation of

Dainichi Buddha

• Single hair braid

• Colored skin

(usually blue-

green)

• Sword

• Rope

• Throne of pilings

Fudo

Fudo

Godai-myo-o

5 Great Kings of Light

Fudo

Gundari

Gundari

Myo-o

Gundari

Myo-o

detail

To-ji

Altar

Taishaku-ten

Taishaku-ten

Taishaku-ten

Taishaku-

ten

• Japanese Buddhist

name for Indra, a

Hindu deity.

Vajra

(kongo)

Vajra

(kongo)

&

Bell

Bon-ten

Godai-butsu

5 Great Buddhas

Dainichi

Buddha

Dainichi-

nyorai

mudra

Godai-bosatsu

5 Great Bodhisattvas

Bodhisattva

Kongo Ho

Nyoirin

Kannon

• Wishing jewel

• Wheel

• Pose of “royal

ease”

Nyoirin

Kannon

Empress

Jingu

Shinto

Sculpture

Hachima

n

The End