The Bodhisattva Kannon

観音菩薩坐像

At a glance — Sculpture · Edo period, 17th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan · Long-quan ware.

Fact Sheet

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category: Sculpture
Period: Edo period, 17th century
Date: 1601–1700
Creator: Long-quan ware (龍泉窯、中国・龍泉窯、竜泉窯)
Held by: Tokyo National Museum
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID: cobas-58902

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Same period: Edo sculpture →
Same creator: Long-quan ware →
At this museum: All 1632 works here →

Here, the bodhisattva Kannon sits on a pedestal that alludes to the mythical Mount Potalaka, where she is believed to reside. Sculptures of this kind are thought to have been made in the Longquan kilns in southern China. As there are records of its confiscation in 1856, we can infer that Japanese Christians possessed this kind of sculpture at the time.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財), Government of Japan
Catalogue ID: cobas-58902 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-58902
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: “The Bodhisattva Kannon（観音菩薩坐像）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-58902. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/the-bodhisattva-kannon-58902/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.

Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)

Genre: Sculpture
Category: Historical materials:Christian-related materials
Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
Material: Celadon-glazed porcelain
員数: 1軀
分類: 彫刻
種別: 歴史資料:キリシタン関係遺品
品質形状: 青磁製
法量: 高20.9

Also at the Tokyo National Museum More →

Important Cultural Property