THE WORLD OF YABUUCHI SatoshiEsculptor
Mar.23 2002
1)
A photographic shoot of YABUUCHI Satoshi's work took place within the huge grounds of Todai-ji, one of Japan's biggest and most famous temples, from 18th to 20th of February.

This shoot was part of the preparations for the "In Celebration of the 1,250th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Great Buddha - YABUUCHI Satoshi in Todai-ji: 'The Sun and Flowers'" exhibition to be held in May and consisted of photographing YABUUCHI Satoshi's wood and bronze works beside the ancient Buddhist statues and historic buildings that are scattered throughout the grounds of the temple. It also featured masks by YABUUCHI Satoshi, reminiscent of the gigaku masks created 1300 years ago, worn by models dressed in costumes that were provided through the cooperation of the apparel-maker, 45rpm Studio Co., Ltd. The results proved very interesting and will be featured in future posters and anthologies of his work.
Images

Outline of Exhibition
In Celebration of the 1,250th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Great Buddha
YABUUCHI Satoshi in Todai-ji: 'The Sun and Flowers'

Introduction:

I have been invited to dedicate an exhibition this May to the celebration of 1,250th anniversary of the consecration of the Great Buddha of Todai-ji.

The origins of my work can be traced back to the city of Nara. When I was involved in the restoration and research of Buddhist statuary as a young man, my studies often took me to Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, and the other temples of this ancient city. Later, when Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music was engaged to undertake the complete disassembly and repair of a standing statue of Jizo Bosatsu (Ksitigarbha-bodhisattva) belonging to Shinyakushi-ji temple in Nara, a figure with a very unusual method of construction that dates back to the twelfth century, I was put in charge of the project.
Despite having moved away from the restoration field, I have continued to use the same techniques which were developed between the tenth and twelfth centuries, to produce works that embody the Japanese spiritual world in readily accessible figures. I personally believe that "I learned all I know about sculpture from Buddha" and simultaneously, I think that the way in which the Great Buddha of Todai-ji temple was reconstructed each time it was destroyed, rising once more like a phoenix from the ashes, is a miracle of which I can be proud as a Japanese.
I am very happy to have been invited to take part in the 1,250th anniversary of the consecration of the Great Buddha, presenting my work at the "YABUUCHI Satoshi in Todai-ji: 'The Sun and Flowers'" in the grounds of the temple that has been such an inspiration to me.
This exhibition is an expression my feelings of gratitude and can be described as "a homage to Nara". I sincerely hope that you will be able to visit the temple and enjoy the exhibition.
Please note that some of the works from this exhibition will be donated to the Todai-ji Seigien school for the disabled children.

YABUUCHI Satoshi
Exhibition Committee
http://uwamuki.com/todaiji


In Celebration of the 1,250th Anniversary of
the Consecration of the Great Buddha
YABUUCHI Satoshi in Todai-ji: 'The Sun and Flowers'

Period: May 8 (Wed.) to May 19 (Sun.)
9:30-17:00
Preparation: May 5-7
Reception: May 7, (time to be announced later)
Commemoration Speech: May 8 (Wed) at Todai-ji Kinsho-kaikan Hall
Location: Todai-ji Kinsho-kaikan Hall, (ex lecture hall of Todai-ji School) situated next to Nandai-mon gateway.
Sponsored by: The Exhibition Committee for "In Celebration of the 1,250th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Great Buddha, YABUUCHI Satoshi in Todai-ji: 'The Sun and Flowers'"
Supported by: Todai-ji Temple
In Co-operation with: Kinki Nippon Railway Co., Ltd., Okamura Printing Co., Ltd., 45rpm Studio Co., Ltd., etc.
Organized by: Copas Co. Ltd.
Please Note: Admission is free. There will be a ship on site for the purchase of related items.

* This exhibition has the recommendation of the following people:
SUMIKAWA Kiichi (Ex-principal of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music)
HIRAYAMA Ikuo (Principal of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Person of Cultural Merit)
ARAI Shogo (Member of the House of Councilors, ex-Director of the Maritime Safety Agency)
KINUTANI Koji (Professor, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Member of the Art Academy)
ONODERA Hisayuki (Chairman of Bijutu-in
Rev. TAGAWA Shunei (Head Priest, Kofuku-ji Temple, )
Rev. HAMANO Kensho (Head Priest, Nishi-Arai Taishi Temple)
FUKUDA Ryosei (Professor, Taisho University, Chief Priest, Chizan Denpo Šin,Temple of the Shingon Sect)
KIMIKOUBE Shuichi (Priest, Seisho-ji Temple)
Tachibana Sogi (Priest, Tokuzen-ji Temple in Daitoku-ji)


3)
The wooden statues of the Shitenno (Four Devas) and numerous bronze figures that YABUUCHI Satoshi is producing for Seisho-ji Zen Temple in Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo are all progressing satisfactorily. Seisho-ji Temple is situated close to the Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Prince Hotel and the work currently being undertaken on the buildings and grounds is scheduled to finish in November this year.
Jan.1st 2002
I hope that 2002 will bring happiness to you and your whole family while violence and poverty are banished from the world.

YABUUCHI Satoshi has two major projects for 2002.

First is the "In Celebration of the 1250th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Great Buddha - YABUUCHI Satoshi in Todai-ji: 'The Sun and Flowers'" to be held from May 8th (Wed.) to May 19th (Sun). This year marks the 1250th anniversary of the construction of the Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, the most famous and beloved statue of Buddha in Japan, and this is to be celebrated by a major service at the temple in October. A variety of musical and other events are planned as part of the celebrations and YABUUCHI Satoshi's exhibition will be one of these. It is to be held in a large hall, called the Kinshokaikan, that makes up part of the temple complex and will be based around the theme of the sun (representing Buddha), the source of all good energy and lotus flowers representing all phenomena and life on Earth. The exhibition will show many of the major groups of work that YABUUCHI Satoshi has created over the years and the event should create an aura of solemnity and energy.

The other major task is to present the three-meter-tall sculptures of the Shitenno (Four Devas) that he has been working on since last year to the temple. These are to be placed in the newly reconstructed gateway of a major Zen temple in central Tokyo called Seishoji. The second floor of the gateway will hold statues of the sixteen Arahats (Buddha's sixteen disciples) that were placed in the temple in 1994, while a bronze figure of a dragon is situated in each corner under the eaves of the roof which means that when completed it will contain a total of twenty-four statues by YABUUCHI Satoshi. The grounds surrounding the gateway contains numerous bronze figures while the Kaisan-do (Founder's Shrine) at the rear of the temple complex contains statues of the three founding priests. In this way YABUUCHI Satoshi has been entrusted with the creation of works to be placed throughout the temple grounds and there is no greater honor that could be afforded to him as a sculptor.

The Seisho-ji Reconstruction Project is scheduled to be completed in November of this year. The temple is situated close to the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Prince Hotel and if you have the opportunity, please visit it. An "International Zen Center" annex is being constructed to cater to general visitors.

Seisyo-ji
2-4-7Atago
Minato-ku
Tokyo,105-0002
JAPAN
Nov.20 2001
The following is a midterm report on the progress of YABUUCHI Satoshi Studio's "Seisho-ji Project".

The "Atago Area Redevelopment Project" which is being undertaken jointly by Seisho-ji Temple, an important center of Zen Buddhism, the Minato Ward council and Mori Buildings, a major developer specializing in rental buildings, is progressing smoothly. The twin, forty-story tower blocks that have been constructed in the temple grounds by Mori Buildings are now completed and tenants are moving in, while the park being laid out on the hillside behind the temple, in cooperation with Minato Ward council, is on the verge of completion.
Construction of the new temple buildings is moving into its final stage in order for them to be ready for the Grand Opening in July 2002, while at the YABUUCHI Satoshi Studio work is progressing on statues of the four Devas that will be placed in the temple gateway that is presently being built.
The Four Devas are ancient Indian Gods that were adopted into the Buddhist pantheon where they took on the role of generals, under the command of Taishaku-ten (Sakradevanam Indra), who guard the four points of the compass. They are depicted trampling evil spirits underfoot while glaring in the direction they have been charged to protect. In Japan the form that these figures take has become standardized, the most common depicting them in Chinese-style leather armor, and the figures we are creating for Seisho-ji follow this pattern. Made of Japanese cypress from the Kiso area of central Japan, the statues incorporate the traditional techniques of yosegi-zukuri (joined-wood) and uchiguri (hollowing out), before being finished with natural lacquer and pigments. When completed, each statue will stand over three meters tall when fitted on its base.
Work is taking place simultaneously on all four statues and one of them is now entering the finishing stages. Models of two of the evil spirits that will form the bases have been completed and the timber to be used in their construction is presently being finished and joined to prepare it for the carving.
(Image of the making of the four Devas)
In addition to the above, we have produced a fountain in the form of a large dragon that has been placed in an artificial stream that runs through the temple grounds.
(Image of dragon fountain)
YABUUCHI Satoshi has created a large prayer-wheel decorated with the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac that is based on the prayer-wheels of Tibetan Buddhism and this been placed in the park behind the temple buildings. We feel sure that it will become a popular attraction among visitors to both the park and the temple.
(Image of the zodiac prayer wheel)
Consisting of a high-rise condominium and high-rise office block, together with a park for the enjoyment of the local inhabitants and set within the grounds of a historical religious establishment, the "Atago Area Redevelopment Project" is a unique urban regeneration concept and one that is receiving a lot of attention.


Sep. 22th 2001
In the beginning of May 2002, an exhibition entitled "In Celebration of the
1250th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Great Buddha - YABUUCHI Satoshi in Todai-ji: 'The Sun and Flowers'", will be held in the grounds of Todai-ji, one of Japan's largest Buddhist temples that is situated in Nara City.

The capital of Japan from 710 to 784, Nara is the site of the numerous famous temples but Todai-ji, that was built in 752 on the orders of the Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo, remains the most famous, its main hall being the largest wooden building in the world. Over the years, it was badly damaged by both war and natural disasters, but each time it arose once more from the ashes like a phoenix. The priests of the temple have adhered the strict precepts of their order and preserved the teachings of Kegon sect to the present day. Its central image is a colossal seated bronze figure of Birushana Butsu (Vairocana) that is fifteen meters tall and which holds a special place in the hearts of the Japanese people. The temple also possesses numerous other marvellous Buddhist figures, dating from the eighth century, when Japanese art was strongly influenced by China, up to the fourteenth century.
When he was young, YABUUCHI Satoshi was a regular visitor to Nara, where the Great Buddha provided him with inspiration that was to stand him in good stead in later years when creating his own works of art.The year 2002 marks the 1250th anniversary of the consecration of the Great Buddha and numerous events will be held over the course of a year, starting from October 2001, one of these being In Celebration of the 1250th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Great Buddha - YABUUCHI Satoshi in Todai-ji: 'The Sun and Flowers'" that is to be held from May 8 (Wed) to May 19 (Sun). The "Sun" in the title of this exhibition refers to the energy that is the origin of all life and which is symbolized by the Great Buddha, Vairocana, while the flowers represent all the phenomena of this world that are born of this energy.
This exhibition is expected to be one of the most important events in
YABUUCHI Satoshi's career and further information concerning it will be
displayed on this site as it becomes available.

Aug.10th 2001
From the spring of 2001 to the summer of 2002 YABUUCHI Satoshi is busy working on a series of wooden statues of Buddhas and Zen priests to be placed inside Seishoji temple as well as various bronze statuary for display in its precincts.
Situated in the Atago area in the Minato ward of Tokyo, Seishoji is an old temple that was founded in the fifteenth century by priests of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, and later moved to its present site in 1600. The Soto sect is one of Japan's main Zen sects, well-known for its training and strict adherence to the Buddhist precepts and until the middle of the nineteenth century, Seishoji was home to many novice priests. However, with the westernization of the country that took place in the latter half of the nineteenth century, the training function of the temple was separated and developed to become Komazawa University, the main center of learning for members of the sect. Later, in 1922, disaster struck and all the temple buildings (the Main Sanctuary, the Founder's Shrine, the Lecture Hall, the Meditation Hall, the Main Gateway and the Priests' Quarters, etc.) were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake.
The main sanctuary was soon rebuilt, but despite the passage of years, the Meditation Hall and other buildings were not replaced. For a sect that treats every action in daily life as part of their spiritual training, the reconstruction of the Meditation Hall remained a major goal for each of the Chief Priests during this period.
Beginning several years ago, Seishoji has been working with the Minato Ward council and a large developer, Mori Buildings, on the "Atago Area Redevelopment Project". Seishoji provided the land for Mori Buildings to construct two huge skyscrapers while also working with the local council to create a park. The skyscrapers have already been completed and work on the temple buildings and the park is now proceeding.
As part of the project, YABUUCHI Satoshi has been invited to create numerous wood and bronze statues. Already he has produced statues of the three founders of the Soto sect that have been placed inside the Founder's Shrine which was completed in June this year, while in July a large, dragon-shaped fountain was placed in the park. Future planned bronze works include twelve prayer wheels, like those used in Tibetan Buddhism, each of which will be decorated with one of the animals from the Chinese Zodiac, an elephant-shaped fountain and the figure of a boy standing on a lotus flower.
The main gateway to the temple will be completed early next year and will contain wooden statues of the Four Devas, each three meters tall.
Including the statues of the 16 Arahats that were placed in the temple in 1994, when it is completed, the Seishoji project will consist of 23 wooden sculptures and numerous bronze works, making it into a kind of art museum.
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