Background
Unkei was born in 1148 in Kansai region, Japan. He was the son of master carver Kokei.
(Dainichi Nyorai at Enjo-ji. Height 98.2 centimetres. Nati...)
Dainichi Nyorai at Enjo-ji. Height 98.2 centimetres. National Treasure. Daienji Temple (Nara Prefecture). The statue was carved in 1175 in the Fujiwara Period style, and is surmised to have been completed during the reigns of Emperors Toba and Gohorikawa.
1175
運慶
Unkei was born in 1148 in Kansai region, Japan. He was the son of master carver Kokei.
In 1203, Unkei worked with Kaikei, two other master sculptors, and 16 assistants to create two guardian figures for the gates of the Nandaimon (Great South Gate) of Todai-ji in Nara. The team finished the figures in 72 days using the yosegi technique of sculpting various pieces of wood separately and then combining them for the finished product.
Sometime between 1208 and 1212, Unkei sculpted a figure of a Miroku Butsu at Todai-ji, along with several accompanied figures. These included two bodhisattva, the Shitenno (Four Heavenly Kings), and a pair of Indian rakan named Muchaku and Seshin. Only the Miroku Butsu and rakan still stand today. After the completion of these works and others at the Kofuku-ji, Unkei moved the Kei school's headquarters to Kyoto.
Unkei was chiefly acting in Kyoto and Nara. However, he traveled to Kamakura sometimes to do commissions for high-ranking samurai and administrators of the shogunate.
Kongo Rikishi
(This sculpture of Hercules-like God in Buddhist legend at...)
Miroku Bosatsu (Bodhi-Sattva)
(Miroku Bosatsu, in a sitting pose, made of wood and cover...)
1219Buddha
(The two wooden statues of Buddha, about 6 feet tall, Kōfu...)
Dainichi Nyorai at Enjō-ji
(Dainichi Nyorai at Enjo-ji. Height 98.2 centimetres. Nati...)
1175Unkei was a devout Buddhist.
His family produced many great carvers. Tankei, Koen, Koben, Kosho, Unga and Unjo, all noted carvers, were his sons.