and in front of "a flame-like golden aureole, adorned with gilded flying apsaras in worshipful attitudes" and halos surround the immediate outlines of the head and body (Stanley-Baker 71). Jocho's work is located in the Hoodo or Phoenix Hall of the Byodoin, the private sanctuary and chapel of the regent Fujiwara Yorimichi (994-1074), in the Kyoto Prefecture.
Images of the Buddha in Japanese art represent Buddhism's founder Guatama who engaged in a period of contemplation under a bo tree and thereby attained Buddhahood, becoming the Buddha or Sakyamuni. The Indian word Sakyamuni is rendered as either Shaka Nyorai or Shakamuni Butsu in Japanese. There are various types of "Buddhas" in Japanese art and each represents some particular aspect of Guatama Buddha or some stage of his life. The four Buddhas most commonly depicted in Japanese art are the Sakyamuni, Dainichi, Amida, and Yakushi (Boger 69). There are significant differences in the manner in which the various versions of the Guatama Buddha are represented. The Sakyamuni, for example, is Buddha as a prince, prior to his period under the bo tree. The Sakyamuni is typically shown with long hair that flows over his shoulders or is tied in a knot (Boger 69). But there are many variations, even among the depictions of a particular Buddha.
According to the sutras. the Buddhist scriptures, a Buddha has thirty-two physical traits by which he is known. Such traits are used in various combinations. Thus, among the traits often employed are the snail-like curls of hair called rahotsu. This style of hair appears on both the Buddhas considered here. Another of the many traits is the slight webbing of fingers and toes which is visible on the Byodoin Amida Nyorai, but is not shown on the Yakushi Nyorai of Jingoji. Each Buddha can also carry particular symbols, indicating which of the particular Buddhas is being shone. The Yakushi is credited with healing both "physical and sp...