Examples of Objects on Display

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  Important Cultural Property WATER SPRINKLER (KUNDIKA) WITH NINE DRAGON-HEADED SPOUTS

  Celadon with carved dragon and wave design

  Goryeo dynasty, 12th century
  Height: 33.5cm
  The Museum Yamato Bunkakan
  Photograph by MUDA Tomohiro

  This very exceptional work is adorned with nine dragons, associated with the story of the birth of the Buddha that nine dragons descended from heaven and sprinkled fragrant water over Shakyamuni when he was born. It is a suitable motif for a kundika, a water sprinkler used for offering pure water to the Buddhist altar. The finely sculpted heads of the nine dragons applied to the kundika possess vigor, solemnity and dignity in their appearances. Nine bodies of the dragons that match the nine heads are carved on the surface of the body in a flowing and elegant manner. Even more impressive is the fact that the mouths of all the dragon heads actually work as a spout. Goryeo celadon produced in the 12th century is known for having the most beautiful glaze and the Goryeo people praised its color by calling it “kingfisher color”, valuing celadon ware even higher than gold and silver ware. This kundika, also a work of the 12th century, is one of the finest masterpieces of Goryeo celadon with the glaze having the sparkle of jade.

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  Important Cultural Property　WATER SPRINKLER (KUNDIKA)

  Celadon with carved lotus scroll design

  Goryeo dynasty, 12th century
  Height: 36.5cm
  Nezu Museum
  

  A kundika or water sprinkler is one of the Buddhist altar fittings which holds pure water for offering and placed on a Buddhist altar. As kundika is one of the attributions of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, there are a number of Goryeo Buddhist paintings which depict the Avalokitesvara holding a kundika. This work has a majestic appearance with a beautifully curved form, flowing from the slender neck through the shoulder and elegantly tapering toward the bottom. The lotus scroll design carved in relief covers the body, and the bluish green glaze pooled in the carved outline produces a refreshing light and shade effect, reminiscent of the sparkle of jade. The trifoliate arrowhead motif has a Chinese name written with a Chinese character ci, meaning compassion and benevolence, thus regarded as auspicious. The body is divided into three horizontal sections, each enclosing a neat row of alternating lotus flower, lotus leaf and arrowhead motifs. This pattern, often found on the costumes of venerable images in Goryeo Buddhist paintings, is perfect to decorate a kundika. There is an incised inscription on the base, which can be read “Hyogugak”, probably the name of the engraver specializing in engraving decorative motifs.

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  COVERED BOX

  Celadon with openwork scroll decoration

  Goryeo dynasty, 12th century
  Height: 11.8cm
  Tokyo National Museum
  Image: TNM Image Archives
  

  The florid, elaborate openwork decoration clearly demonstrates the grace and refinement inherent in Goryeo celadon. The lid has a lobed panel enclosing peony blossoms in the center, which is surrounded by intricate scroll design, and the sides of the lid are decorated with ruyi motifs. The four walls of the body are covered with finely executed scroll design. The amply applied celadon glaze over the body is pooled in places, which produces a gem-like beautiful sparkle, making this work worthy of the name “kingfisher-color celadon”. The interior of the box is partitioned into two sections. It is said that an example similar to this work, which is now in the collection of the National Museum of Korea, was found along with a bronze mirror in a tomb in Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do. The box contained small covered boxes, suggesting that it was a sort of a cosmetic box. It is likely that this covered box was also used to store cosmetics, although no accessories accompany this work.