126 BULLETIN 148, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



of Biiddhas, though not yet attained by them, and depicted in the 

 Buddha type. On the other hand, the young princely figures ele- 

 gantly draped and decked with ornaments instead of the plain monk's 

 robe, which are the characteristics of Bodhisattvas, may as well 

 represent Sakyamuni as Bodhisattva, before his attaining Buddha- 

 hood. 



1. Buddha. — Made of bronze. Seated in meditation. The hands 

 resting in the lap are disposed in such a way that the thumbs of 

 both hands touch one another. The meditative repose is emphasized 

 by the nearly closed eyes and the dreamy look of the countenance. 

 The protuberance of the head in nearly hemispherical. There is a 

 bead (urna) both on the head above the forehead and below between 

 the eyebrows. The ears are long and pierced. Behind the head is 

 a circular halo of wood. The robe covers both shoulders, but leaves 

 the breast bare, waves from the left round the lower part of the 

 body and falls in ample folds over the feet. On the back of the 

 figure is engraved a Japanese inscription in 13 lines which has been 

 rendered as follow: 



This bronze image of "The Buddha of Five Wisdoms," was made by Saburo- 

 biyoye Katsutanc, son of the great caster, Yoshitane Tsuji of the Fiijiwara clan, 

 whose title was Tajima no Kami, Anson, who lived at the Port of Yasuno in the 

 Province of Seishiu (Ise). 



He respectfully cast it for Shichirouyemon Tadanori Takamine, who lives in the 

 town of Matsuzaka in the district of Jidaka, Seishiu (Ise) whose religious name 

 and the religious name of his wife are given, and "Who desire the blessings of 

 future life for (the souls of) their Fathers, Mothers, and of six unnamed relatives, 

 and for themselves." 



It was respectfully offered by them to the temple of Joshozan Soan in Yamada, 

 Seishiu (Ise), on the 15th day 9th month of the 1st (rat) year of the Period of 

 Keian — October 30th, 1648, when it was reverently consecrated by Shonin 

 (Rev'd) Kwanseikudatsu, of the Society of Benren (Distinguished pure Lotus) 

 twenty-first Priest of the temple of Sanyenzan Zojo, in the district of Shiba, 

 Yedo, Province of Bushiu (Musashi). 



Height, 38% inches. Cast in Ise, Japan, 1648 A. D. (Plate 30, Cat. 

 No. 12965, U.S.N.M.) '' 



2. Buddha. — Made of teak wood, black lacquered and gilt. Stand- 

 ing on a lotus pedestal, the right hand raised to the bosom, the left 

 hand clasping the upper garment, the pose of granting protection. 

 The robe covers the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder and 

 arm bare. Around the forehead is a sort of diadem studded wdth 

 colored stones. The latter also decorate the upper seam of the robe 

 and the girdle round the waist, which terminates in a sash reaching 

 to the anldes. 



The lotus (Nelumhium speciosum) is the queen of Indian flowers, 

 to which a special sanctity is attached in the eyes of Buddhists and 



" A brief sketch of Japanese bronze work in connection with a description of this figure is found in the 

 Report of the U. S. National Museum, 1888-1889, pp. 729-735, under the title " On a bronze Buddha in the 

 U. S. National Museum." By Charles de Kay. 



