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Buddhist themes are prominent throughout Saitō’s work, possibly because of the time he spent living at a temple in his youth. The subject of this print is Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, known in Japanese Buddhism as Miroku. Miroku is a bodhisattva, a spirit waiting to begin his final human life cycle, and when he does arrive on Earth, he will establish a new age in Buddhism. Miroku is often portrayed in the “pensive” position, with one leg crossed over the other and a hand near the face. His legs represent his place in between worlds. Saitō famously fell into a slump in the ‘60s, where he experimented with different printing techniques and questioned his artistic vision. Perhaps here Saitō feels connected to Miroku, as they both wait to complete their journey.Label Type
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Label written by Shannon TonettaLabel Type
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Gift of the Friends of Art Collection at Saint Joseph’s University