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BIBLIOGRAPHY (Last Update Jan. 28, 2006)
LEARN MORE
To learn more about any particular deity, visit that deity's page, scroll to the bottom, and find the "Learn More" section for targeted links and resources.
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Sculpture of the Kamakura Period
by Hisashi Mori, from the Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art. Published jointly by Heibonsha (Tokyo) & John Weatherhill Inc. A book close to my heart, this publication devotes much time to the artists who created the sculptural treasures of the Kamakura era, including Unkei, Tankei, Kokei, Kaikei, and many more. Highly recommended.
ISBN 0-8348-1017-4; 1st Edition 1974
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Kamakura:
Fact and Legend
by Iso Mutsu
Charles E. Tuttle Company
First released in 1918, but since reprinted with updates, this book offers detailed descriptions of more than 40 temples in Kamakura, including anecdotes and many details about various Buddhist deities.
ISBN: 0804819688
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Handbook on
Viewing Buddhist Statues
A wonderful book. Some images at this site were scanned from this book; Japanese language only; 192 pages; 80 or so color photos. By author Ishii Ayako. Click here to buy book at Amazon. ISBN 4-262-15695-8
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Comprehensive Dictionary
of Japan's National Treasures
Published by Kodansha Ltd. 1985
404 pages, hardcover, over 300 photos, mostly color, many full-page spreads.
Japanese Language Only.
One of my favorite resources.
ISBN 4-06-187822-0
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The Concise History
of Japanese Buddhist Sculpture
2001, Bijutu Shuppan-sha
ISBN 4-568-40061-9
220 pages, Japanese language
200 color photos (approx.)
Some photos at this site were scanned from this book.
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The Hidden Buddha of Japan
2002, Corono Books
ISBN 4-582-63395-1
121 pages
Japanese language only
Over 40 color photos
Some photos at this site were scanned from this book.
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How to View Buddhist Statues:
As if Wearing Glasses
2002, Published by Shogakukan
Serai Pocket Series
ISBN 4093435014
160 Pages, Japanese Language Only; Over 80 color photos. Some photos at this site were scanned from this book.
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Sanjusan Gendo no Omokage
The Face of Sanjusan Gendo
Temple Catalog
Published 1997
60 pages
36 color & 28 B&W photos
Japanese Language Only
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33 Manifestations of Kannon
and Other Temple Treasures
Temple Catalog, 44 pages
60 photos (58 B&W, 2 color)
Japanese Language Only
Published 1998
TEL: (81) 467-22-0753
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Bosatsu on Clouds
Byodo-in Temple
Catalog, May 2000
Published by Byodoin Temple
Produced by Askaen Inc.
and Nissha Printing Co. Ltd.
56 pages, Japanese language
(with small English essay)
Over 50 photos, both color, B&W
Some photos at this site were scanned from this book. Wonderful photos.
www.byodoin.or.jp
Byodo-in Temple sells this publication for 1,200 yen. Go to their site, then click MUSEUM GOODS button, then scroll to bottom of page to order by FAX or Hagaki (postal "postcard" order). Japanese-language only.
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Visions of the Pure Land:
The Treasures of Byodo-in Temple
Catalog, 2000
Published by Asahi Shimbun
Artwork from Byodo-in Temple
228 pages, Japanese language
with English index of works
Over 100 photos, color and B&W
Some photos at this site were scanned from this book. No longer in print.
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Exploring the Beauty of Japan #45
March 18, 2003
40+ pages, color photos
Japanese Language Only
Wonderful magazine featuring treasures of Byodo-in Temple.
Some photos at this site were scanned from this magazine.
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Exploring the Beauty of Japan, #35
December 31, 2002 Issue
40+ pages, color photos
Japanese Language Only
Wonderful magazine featuring treasures of Chuson-ji Temple.
Some photos at this site were scanned from this magazine.
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Exploring the Beauty of Japan #11
July 9th 2002
40+ pages, 70+ color photos
Japanese Language Only
Wonderful magazine featuring treasures of Horyu-ji Temple and Prince Shotoku Taishi. Some photos at this site were scanned from this magazine.
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Kamakura Museum
Catalog with 15 B&W photos
No Date Given (On sale at Museum)
Published by Kamakura Museum
20 pages, English language
TEL: (81) 467-22-0753
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Jizo Bodhisattva. Modern Healing & Traditional Buddhist Practice. By Jan Chozen Bays, a Zen master in the lineage of Maezumi Roshi and a member of the White Plum Sangha. She is also the spiritual head of the Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, Oregon. Published 2002 by Tuttle Publishing.
ISBN 0-8048-3189-0
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 OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
- Kamakura Buddhism: A Minority Report
by Robert E. Morrell, Asian Humanities Press, 1987.
ISBN 0-89581-850-7. Modern views of Kamakura Buddhism rest largely on interpretations by the heirs of its successful innovators -- the Zen, Nichiren, and Pure Land movements -- while the Establishment is represented merely as the hostile background against which our currently accepted heroes of the age had to struggle to create their brave new world. In this "minority report," four leaders of the traditional older sects are given an opportunity to present their side: Tendai's Jien, Hosso's Jokei, Kegon's Myoe, and Shingon's Kakukai. Excellent. Highly recommended.
- Epochs of Chinese and Japanese Art
by Ernest F. Fenollosa, published by ICG Muse Inc.
ISBN 4-925080-29-6. English. Originally published in 1912, but new edition in 2000. Perhaps one of the best books to date on Buddhist sculpture. Highly recommended.
- Buddism: Flammarion Iconographic Guides
by Louis Frederic, Printed in France
ISBN 2-08013-558-9, First published 1995
A highly illustrated volume, with special significance to those studying Japanese Buddhist iconography. Includes many of the myths and legends of mainland Asia as well, but its special strength is in its coverage of the Japanese tradition. Hundreds of accompanying images/photos, both B&W and color.
- Tao: The Watercourse Way
by Alan Watts and Al Chung-liang Huang
134 pages, English, ISBN 0-394-73311-8
A classic on Tao. English text supplemented with
Chinese calligraphy. Highly recommended.
- Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend: Chinese Mythology
by Derek Walters
Publisher Harpercollins (Jan. 1993)
ASIN: 1855380803
- Ancient Buddhism in Japan, Vol. II
See M. W. de Visser's charts in Leiden: 1935, pp. 551-553
- China and Japan Myths and Legends
by Donald A. Mackenzie
Publisher Bracken Books (Jan. 1986)
ASIN: 1851700161
- Dictionary of Chinese and Japanese Art
by Hugo Munsterberg
Publisher Hacker Art Books (Jan. 1982)
ASIN: 0878172483
- Butsu Zuzo-I (published 1783) by Ki Tosa no Hidenobu
One of the world's first major studies of Buddhist iconography. I wish I could get my hands on this book, but regrettably, I have failed to do so.
- Talking about Buddhism
by Takada Yoshihito and James M. Vardaman Jr.; Bilingual Books, 1997, Kodansha International Ltd. ISBN 4-7700-2161-5. English and Japanese, 230 pages. Basic primer, covering history, people, deities, and sects. Good training for those wanting to improve their Japanese.
- Illustrated Who's Who of Japan
192 pages covering 100 historical personages
Lots of line art and drawings. English Language, No Photographs. Japan Travel Bureau Inc., 1991. ISBN 4-533-00798-8
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DICTIONARIES & GLOSSARIES
MUSEUMS
The below museum sites were invaluable to me. I borrowed freely from their photo galleries -- see individual site pages for photo credits.
TEMPLES, SHRINES, AND DEITIES
GENERAL WEB RESOURCES - JAPANESE BUDDHISM
- Buddhanet
www.buddhanet.net/
www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b_fbodi.htm
- Japan-Guide.com, Guide to Japan's Religions
www.japan-guide.com/e/e629.html
- Manjushri
www.manjushri.com/BUDDHA/
- Timeline - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/06/eaj/ht06eaj.htm
- Institute for Asian Studies, Austrian Academy of Sciences
http://mailbox.univie.ac.at/~scheidb9/rel_vo/
German language only, by Bernhard Scheid
- The Jatakas or Birth Stories
hjem.get2net.dk/civet-cat/poetry-stories/jataka1.htm
- Sutras, Sacred Texts, Vows, Early Records
www.buddhanet.net/bp_conts.htm
www.omplace.com/omsites/Buddhism/bodhisattvavows.html
www.sacred-texts.com/bud/mzb/mzb06.htm
www.sacred-texts.com/bud/mzb/index.htm
campross.crosswinds.net/ShuteiMandala/
www.washburn.edu/reference/bridge24/Kojiki.html
- Stone Statues of the Gods
www.islands.ne.jp/soushin/index.html
www.islands.ne.jp/soushin/gallery/creation/gakkou.html
- Buddhist Sculpture in Japan by Ed Jacob
www3.tky.3web.ne.jp/~edjacob/sculpture.html
www3.tky.3web.ne.jp/~edjacob/intro.htm
- Mandala (Vedic, Gohonzon, Ryokai, Taizokai)
www.asianart.com/index.html
www.asianart.com/exhibitions/svision/
www.asianart.com/exhibitions/svision/index.html#Row9
www.asianart.com/exhibitions/svision/i45.html
campross.crosswinds.net/ShuteiMandala/vedic.html
www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCJAPAN/GALLERY.HTM
www.aasianst.org/EAA/sjoquist.htm
www.mandala.co.jp/museum/
campross.crosswinds.net/ShuteiMandala/
- Pilgrimages
Pilgrimage resources and guidebooks
Kamakura temple guide
Echoes of Incense: A Pilgrimage in Japan, by Don Weiss
HIKE JAPAN (www.hikejapan.com)
Hike Japan specializes in guided walking holidays. The tours concentrate on areas of outstanding natural and cultural interest, and feature walks along quiet mountain paths and pilgrimage routes.
- E-Sangha Buddhism Portal
www.e-sangha.com
Buddhism portal that contains discussion forum, free e-books and e-cards, and an extensive collections of links.
JAPANESE SECTS
SANSKRIT FONT
MASKS
GHOSTS & DEMONS
UKIYO-E
E-STORES
Disclaimer: Onmarkproductions cannot be held responsible for your dealings with the online merchants listed below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- Born 1959 (USA)
- B.A. Chinese Studies 1982 (Hamline University, Minnesota)
- M.A. Japanese Studies 1990 (Johns Hopkins, SAIS, Wash. DC)
- Resident of Japan since 1992
- Please click here for my resume
ABOUT MY SOURCES
- Please see Bibliography for main sources
- Few primary resources (i.e., Sanskrit, Pali, or Chinese documents) were used to construct these pages. Most information herein comes from temple visits, temple brochures, various dictionaries and guidebooks, museum publications (especially from Kyoto and Nara), and hundreds of web resources. I rely mainly on English and Japanese resources, but try to include Sanskrit, Chinese, and other spellings whenever possible for deity names, sutra titles, et. al. Credits for outside resources are listed above or below the text/image. Credits may also be viewed by holding the mouse momentarily over any specific image. About 50% of the photos at this site are from outside sources, the rest are by me.
- I am by no means "fluent" in Japanese and Chinese, and must struggle often with obscure terms and historical references. But when comparing several translations of the same passage or name, I sometimes modify the passage/name to suit my own interpretation. Most of the translations at this site are not mine, however, and such translations are always identified in the credit.
TECHNICAL MATTERS
- Romanization. In most cases, this site uses the Hepburn system of romanization. Nonetheless, there is no fully satisfactory way of romanizing Japanese (or, for that matter, Chinese, Tibetan, Korean, or Sanskrit). To provide as much precision as possible, the Japanese ideograms (kanji) are also presented, showing both the standard Japanese spelling and its hiragana equivalent.
- Japanese Names. Family names are shown before first names. The Japanese do not have middle names.
- Era Names and Dates. Standard classification and dating scheme found in both Japan and the West.
- Deity Classification. Follows the same scheme as that of the Japanese and their Buddhist scholars.
REASONS FOR MAKING THIS PHOTO DICTIONARY
My reasons for creating this photo dictionary are quite simple. First and foremost, this project is a labor of love. Second, it is a tribute to Kamakura, my home for the past 12 years, and home to dozens of temples from the Kamakura Era (1185-1333), which still house and display wondrous life-size wooden statues from the 8th century onward. Third, this project was prompted by a dissatisfaction with existing literature on Japanese Buddhist art -- especially sculpture. I still visit book stores and libraries hunting for "the perfect" English handbook on Japanese Buddhist sculpture. But I must admit, I have yet to find anything that satisfies me. Mountains of publications are out there, but in my mind they suffer from too much preaching, promoting, inconsistency, inaccuracy, and just plain "unreadability." There are some excellent resources (see books listed at the top of this web page), but yet I'm unsatisfied.
Fourth, and most regrettably, the online sites of the great repositories of Japanese Buddhist sculpture -- the national museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara -- don't offer any systematic A-to-Z access to their impressive art collections. There is no comprehensive online catalog. Even so, the situation is much improved compared to only ten years ago, thanks largely to advances in web technology. And to be fair, this is not just a problem with museums in Japan. At the online sites of major museums in America and Europe, it is likewise difficult to find what you want, even when you know the piece is in their collection.
So, armed with my first digital camera (back in 1995), I decided to create my own handbook on Japanese Buddhism (with the help of my scanner as well). This ongoing project is the result.
Alas -- I've bitten off more than I can chew. The more I study the details of Japanese Buddhism, the more it eludes me by revealing still more details to study. As I try to understand and categorize, the topic keeps expanding. Maybe one day I'll finally have the "perfect" handbook, but for that to happen, I'll need to keep digging deeper and deeper into the vast terrain of Buddhist art, faith, and mythology. Perhaps my goal shall always elude me. Perhaps I shall never have my "perfect" handbook. But along the way, l hope we can both -- you the reader and me the digger -- find joy and insight.
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