書評 根立研介『日本中世の仏師と社会―運慶と慶派・七条仏師を中心に―』=Book Review: "Nedachi Kensuke, Japanese Medieval Buddhist Sculptors and Society: Unkei, the Kei School, and the Shichijo Busshi"
This major work discusses the Kei school of busshi Buddhist sculptors who formed the major lineage in Buddhist sculpture during Japan's medieval period and the society that surrounded them. This book is a reworking of Nedachi Kensuke's previously published texts; additions and corrections were made and the chapters were arranged in three sections. As indicated by the book's subtitle the book focuses on Unkei, the Kei School, and the Shichijô busshi. The main points of this book are presented in Part 2-chapter 3 and Part 3-chapter 6. Needless to say, chapter 3, “The Formation of the Kei School busshi: The “Kôfukuji” busshi of the Insei Period (1089-1192),” is based on the argument in Part 1-chapter 1, “The Beginning of Medieval busshi: The Appearance of the Sôngô busshi (busshi who held priestly office),” and clearly could not have been formulated without an understanding of the points made in chapter 1. Conversely, although the same term “Dai busshi” is used in chapter 6, “Trends of the Descendants of the Kei School busshi: Tôji Dai busshi Shiki (Office of the Tôji Master Sculptor),” this chapter clarifies that the relationship between the busshi sculptors and the temple was completely different in the cases of Kôfukuji and Tôji. This book works from the results of earlier studies and was constructed on the basis of a consideration of the sculptors within the context of their societal relationships. The book addresses important subjects for the study of the history of Japanese sculpture, such as the meaning of the busshi's investiture as Sôgô (a priestly rank) and the social position this rank entailed, a subject not clearly discussed in earlier studies, and the actual function and state of the Kôfukuji busshi of the Insei period (1089-1192). This book is indispensable for all future study in the field, and we can assume that it will be the subject of lively discussions.
Bibliography: Nedachi Kensuke, Nihon chûsei no busshi to shakai: Unkei to keiha, Shichijô busshi wo chûshin ni [Japanese Medieval Buddhist Sculptors and Society: Unkei, the Kei School, and the Shichijô Busshi], Tokyo, Hanawa Shobô, May 2006.
