"Kannon Ishigami" refers to a sculpture of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in which a stone figure (ishi for stone) is naturally enveloped or em- bedded within a tree root (gami or kami for god, likely referring to the natural form). These naturalistic sculptures, often made in the Edo period, were popular among the literati (bunjin) for their rustic, organic aesthetic, which reflected the concept of wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese philosophy and aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness, valuing the natural cycles of growth and decay over traditional notions of perfection and symmetry. It involves appreciating modest, weathered, or aged items, such as a cracked teacup or a moss-covered stone.

Kannon Ishigami
stone embedded in a boxwood root
19th century
Japan
Edo period

#kannonishigami #sculpture #wabisabi #japan #edoperiod #19thcentury #kwanyin #quanyin #avalokitesvara #gwaneum #quanam #kwanim #chenrezig #tara #bluetara #greentara #buddhism #buddhistsculpture #buddha #bodhisattva

"Kannon Ishigami" refers to a sculpture of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in which a stone figure (ishi for stone) is naturally enveloped or em- bedded within a tree root (gami or kami for god, likely referring to the natural form). These naturalistic sculptures, often made in the Edo period, were popular among the literati (bunjin) for their rustic, organic aesthetic, which reflected the concept of wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese philosophy and aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness, valuing the natural cycles of growth and decay over traditional notions of perfection and symmetry. It involves appreciating modest, weathered, or aged items, such as a cracked teacup or a moss-covered rock, to find a simple, profound beauty in the transient and flawed nature of life and objects.

Kannon Ishigami
stone embedded in a boxwood root
19th century
Japan
Edo period

#kannonishigami #sculpture #wabisabi #japan #edoperiod #19thcentury #kwanyin #quanyin #avalokitesvara #gwaneum #quanam #kwanim #chenrezig #tara #bluetara #greentara #buddhism #buddhistsculpture #buddha #bodhisattva

Ekajati - fierce and powerful protector goddess of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. Ekajati is one of the prominent figures in Tantric Buddhism, known for her fearsome appearance with her hair tied in a topknot, wearing a necklace of skulls, and holding a curved knife and skullcup, and her role as a protector of the Dharma. She manifests the wisdom of all Buddhas and is associated with the Vajrayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. She is also known to be one of the 21 Taras, considered to be emanations of the goddess Arya Tara. Each Tara is associated with a different color, and Blue Tara is among the most powerful. She is a Buddhist deity believed to protect beings from natural disasters, illnesses, and other misfortunes. She is known for her fierce and powerful nature, reflected in her blue-colored skin and one eye. "Ekajati" means "one twisted hair," which refers to her unkempt hair, symbolizing her wild and untamed nature. She is believed to have played a crucial role in transmitting Buddhist teachings from one generation to another. She is also known as the "Great Protectress" and is revered for her ability to grant wishes and fulfill desires. Ekajati's name means "one single birth" or "one braid of hair" in Sanskrit, and she is believed to have originated in the Bon religion of pre-Buddhist Tibet. There are multiple interpretations of the origin of Ekajati. According to legend, Ekajati Blue Tara was born from a tear of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. She is believed to embody the feminine aspect of enlightenment and is associated with the wisdom from overcoming obstacles. Another story states that Ekajati was originally a human woman who achieved great spiritual power and became a deity. She is said to have emerged from the hair of the primordial Buddha Vajradhara and to have played a crucial role in the transmission of esoteric teachings and empowerments. She is often depicted with wild hair, representing her unbounded nature.

Ekajati - fierce and powerful protector goddess of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition.

#lamathanka #ekajati #goddess #buddhism #vajrayana #bluetara #ugratara