Name/Title

Miroku

Entry/Object ID

1972.2.24

Description

20th c. Japanese black and white woodblock print with red cipher titled “Miroku” (Maitreya Buddha) by Kiyoshi Saito. Print edition 116/200.

Artwork Details

Medium

Paper, Ink

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Saitō Kiyoshi

Role

Artist

Date made

1960

Time Period

20th Century

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Without frame

Height

20 in

Width

14-3/4 in

Dimension Description

With frame

Height

27-1/2 in

Width

21-3/4 in

Interpretative Labels

Label

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

Credit Line

Label

Label written by Shannon Tonetta

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Gift of the Friends of Art Collection at Saint Joseph’s University