Prince Shōtoku at Age Two (Shōtoku Taishi)

聖徳太子立像（二歳像）

early 1300s

Japan, Kamakura period

(1185–1333)

Medium

Wood with lacquer, color, and rock-crystal inlaid eyes

Measurements

height: 68.6 cm (27 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell Weir in memory of Dr. and Mrs. William Hawksley Weir 1989.76

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Location

235B Japanese

Did You Know?

Shōtoku Taishi had several titles. One translates to "the prince of the stable door" because he was said to have been born in the imperial stables.

Description

Two-year old Prince Shōtoku (573?–622?) places his palms together in a gesture called gasshō. Shōtoku played a major role in the introduction of Buddhism to Japan, and devotees of the prince commissioned painted and sculpted images commemorating important moments of his life. At age two, the prince faced east and chanted the name of the Buddha without having been taught the practice. This sculpture captures the fantastic event foreshadowing his future acts.