Kukai's Vajra and Bell

[Indrajala]

Right now at the Tokyo National Museum they have an exhibition of Mikkyo art and assorted items including some of Kukai's possessions. They have the vajra and bell he received from his teacher Huiguo. I took some covert photos (Japanese museums are generally intolerant of even non-flash photography as they probably want you to buy the photo book on sale in the gift shop).

Assuming these were manufactured sometime around when they were bestowed upon Kukai, they'd be from the early 9th century. Unless someone knows otherwise, I assume they are of Chinese make.






Amazing to see these up close. I stood there a good fifteen minutes looking them over and just imagining where they came from.

[jake]

Do you happen to know how long this exhibit will be at the museum?

Thanks,

jake

[jake]

Nevermind, was able to google it:

http://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_free_page/index.php?id=1393

Ends September 25th.

[Indrajala]

If you have a chance by all means go.

I recommend a weekday. It was absolutely packed today despite it being an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. I imagine a weekend is intolerable. There is advertising for this exhibit all around Tokyo.

Visiting Koyasan's museum at Koyasan in Wakayama prefecture is also a good trip to take if you want to see authentic Mikkyo stuff.

[Indrajala]

I made a brief post about this at my blog, too:

http://huayanzang.blogspot.com/2011/08/ ... -bell.html

[Mr. G]

Very cool pic Huseng, thanks.

[Malcolm]

Amazing to see these up close. I stood there a good fifteen minutes looking them over and just imagining where they came from.

These were mostly likley manufactured in Java. This style of bell and dorje is typical of Javanese vajras and bells cast during that period.

[Indrajala]

Amazing to see these up close. I stood there a good fifteen minutes looking them over and just imagining where they came from.

These were mostly likley manufactured in Java. This style of bell and dorje is typical of Javanese vajras and bells cast during that period.

I see. Now that is interesting to consider.

[rory]

Big gassho Huseng;
the pic is amazing, please post more!

[Indrajala]

Big gassho Huseng;
the pic is amazing, please post more!

I was limited in my photo taking at the time because you're not supposed to take photos. Even non-flash photography. I had to take pics covertly.

[rory]

I understand, I'm enjoying your blog as well. Are many people interested in Mikkyo in Japan, that so many are crowding the exhibit?
gassho
Rory

[Indrajala]

I understand, I'm enjoying your blog as well. Are many people interested in Mikkyo in Japan, that so many are crowding the exhibit?
gassho
Rory

I think the exhibit is popular due to the extensive advertising. There are huge signs for it in train stations.

I noticed it was mostly older folks visiting and reckon the majority of them are retired. Mind you, that was on a weekday afternoon. There might be a few more youth on weekends, but probably not so much more.

I don't think most visitors would ever think to take up practising or even studying Mikkyo. It is part of Japan's cultural heritage and the artwork is just downright cool. The sculptures on exhibit in particular are fine works of art and their exotic mysterious quality intrigue people.

[mudra]

Amazing to see these up close. I stood there a good fifteen minutes looking them over and just imagining where they came from.

These were mostly likley manufactured in Java. This style of bell and dorje is typical of Javanese vajras and bells cast during that period.

I see. Now that is interesting to consider.

Actually I have never seen a dorje and bell from Java that looked like that. Usually the Javanese (Sumatran too) bell had a bit of a 'midriff' bulge, curve and then a flare out on the bottom,
http://jameelcentre.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/collection/4/880/881/all/per_page/100/offset/0/sort_by/seqn./object/547
reflected also in the stupas from that period which Jowo Atisha popularized in Tibet as the "Kadampa Stupa", for example the stupas on Candi Borobudur.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur

[kirtu]

These were mostly likley manufactured in Java. This style of bell and dorje is typical of Javanese vajras and bells cast during that period.

And Java was a stronghold of Vajrayana at the time.

Kirt

[mudra]

These were mostly likley manufactured in Java. This style of bell and dorje is typical of Javanese vajras and bells cast during that period.

And Java was a stronghold of Vajrayana at the time.

Kirt

Java and Sumatra were yes. But that vajra especially that bell really don't look Javanese at all.