MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND IMPRESSION EVALUATION FOR THE HANDPRINTS OF THE KUHON-BUTSU STATUES IN JOSHIN TEMPLE

抄録

Simplified 3-D models of the handprints of the nine Kuhon-butsu statues in Tokyo's Joshin Temple were used to investigate the relationship between model features and the visual impressions of the Buddha statues as reported by a sample of 33 observers. Objective factors such as colour and texture were removed from the models. The handprint features were characterized by contour curve drawing in the style of the Amitabha Buddha sculptures. An impression evaluation was conducted for each of the 3-D models to explore the feelings they conveyed to the observers. The impressions were found to be largely consistent with the of the handprints described in Buddhist classics (such as meditation, teaching, welcoming and so on), although a few inconsistencies were observed. The static 3-D handprints thus appear to evoke psychological responses similar to those experienced by people in ancient times based on cultural design and visual communication.