Statues created in the 8th century

Many statues created in the 8th century have expressive faces and well-balanced bodies.

Statues created in that century were not only made of gilt bronze or wood, but also made of clay or dry lacquer.

Compared to earlier times, these last two techniques were improved to a high level in the 8th century.

Clay statues were created by putting clay on a wooden core.

Dry lacquer statues were created by putting linen on a model with lacquer, and removing the model from the lacquered linen later.

Todayji-temple has a dry-lacquer statue, Fukukensakukannon, clay statues, Nikko-bosatsu statue,  Gakko-bosatsu statue, and Shitsukongo statue in Hokkedo.

Kofukuji-temple has dry lacquer statues, such as the ten great disciples of Buddha and the eight legions including Asyura-statue.