Hachiman in the Guise of a Buddhist Monk, 12th century, Unknown Japanese, 16 5/8 × 11 3/8 × 9 3/4 in. ( × × cm), Japanese cypress with polychrome, Japan, 12th century, Buddhism was introduced to Japan through Korea after 500 and early Buddhists immediately set off to reconcile the new, foreign religion with the indigenous belief system of Shintō. According to the theory of honji suijaku (Shintō/Buddhist syncretism), Shintō kami (deities) were temporary embodiments of Buddhist deities on this earth, and specifically manifested themselves in Japan to save humans

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Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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