Buddhist Statues & Sacred Art — Archive Hub | Japonista

JAPANESE ARTS & CULTURAL HERITAGE · RELIGIOUS OBJECTS

Navigation & Study Paths · Identification Tools · Deity Master Pages

This hub is the operational entry point for the Buddhist Statues & Sacred Art archive. Use it to navigate identification tools, reference modules, and deity master pages—without leaving the Japonista reference system.

Start Here — Choose Your Path

• Identify a statue (fast) — Narrow identity by gesture and objects held.
• Learn the belief structure (clear) — Understand how figures are organized by role and function.
• Study one figure at a time (deep) — Enter focused master pages designed for accurate recognition.

Core Identification Tools

• Deity Family Tree — Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Wisdom Kings, Guardians, and specialized figures.
• Mudra Visual Grammar — Hand gestures as a readable identification language.
• Attributes & Implements Dictionary — Objects held, what they mean, and why they matter.

Deity Master Pages (Primary)

• Jizo Bosatsu — Guardian of beings in transition.
• Kannon Bosatsu — Compassion expressed through multiple forms.
• Fudo Myoo — Wrathful protector of sacred law.

Ethics & Stewardship

Curator’s Note: Buddhist statues are religious objects. This archive emphasizes contextual accuracy, respectful display, and ethical handling—so sacred objects are approached as artifacts, not decor.