National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

While there are some ancient traditional features, such as the tenne (a long cloth) draping across the shoulders and sticking out on both sides of the body, this image shows outstandingly decorative features, such as the design of the crown, the ornaments on the breast with bells of various sizes and the yoraku (threaded metal/bead decorations). While the overall figure shows a dignified style, the carved lines along the hems of the garment, the kun (a skirt) and tenne and the elaborate raised beads engraved on the breast ornament and yoraku display delicate dexterity.
The body, the pedestal with upturned lotus petals and the tenons on both sides of the bottom of the pedestal are created all in one cast and are largely solid. However, there is a large hollow in the area from the upturned lotus petals to the ankle. Although it could be a large mold cavity, since there are traces of rough carving with a chisel on the entire bottom surface of the upturned lotus petals, it could be a trace of closing an opening for an inner mold by tinkering with it. There are relatively many mold cavities all over the image and some big ones can be found in the breast and lower body. There is a small round hole bored through the palm to the back of the left hand, which seems to suggest that the image originally had its symbol in the left hand. The connected beads on the chest ornament, the yoraku and wristlets are created by making a double dotted pattern with a special chisel. Although the image is smeared in black and the ground metal is exposed in many areas, a slight amount of gold plating can be found on the yoraku above the right knee. The original coloring is unknown. The part below the pedestal with down-turned petals, which is made of wood and lacquered, was added in the Edo period.