Tamamushi Shrine

A black and white photograph of the Tamamushi Shrine
Tamamushi Shrine at Hōryū-ji; height 233 centimetres (7 ft 8 in); National Treasure[1]
Detail of roof
Right doors
Detail of a painting on the Tamamushi Shrine
A bodhisattva hangs his robe upon a tree before offering his life to feed a tigress and her cubs; height 65 centimetres (26 in), width 35.5 centimetres (14.0 in)

The Tamamushi Shrine (玉虫厨子, Tamamushi no zushi) is a miniature shrine owned by the Hōryū-ji temple complex of Nara, Japan. Its date of construction is unknown, but estimated to be around the middle of the seventh century.[2] Decorated with rare examples of Asuka-period paintings, it provides important clues to the architecture of the time[2][3] and has been designated a National Treasure.[4]

Consisting of a low rectangular dais supporting a plinth upon which stands a miniature building 233 centimetres (7 ft 8 in) tall, the Tamamushi Shrine derives its name from the iridescent wings of the tamamushi beetle with which it was once ornamented, but which have now exfoliated.[2] In spite of what its name in English may suggest, the shrine is not a miniature Shinto shrine, as zushi (厨子) is a term for a miniature shrine that houses Buddhist images or sūtra scrolls,[5] in this case a statue of Kannon and small rows of seated bronze Buddhas.[2]

  1. ^ Bunkazai Hogo Iinkai, ed. (1963). 国宝 上古, 飛鳥·奈良時代, 西魏·唐 [National Treasures of Japan I: Ancient times, Asuka period, Nara period, Western Wei, Tang] (in Japanese and English). Mainchi Shimbunsha. p. 40.
  2. ^ a b c d Mizuno Seiichi (1974). Asuka Buddhist Art: Horyuji. Weatherhill. pp. 40–52.
  3. ^ "Tamamushi no zushi". Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  4. ^ "玉蟲厨子" [Tamamushi Shrine]. Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Zushi". Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System. Retrieved 9 March 2012.