hiten kouhai　飛天光背
CATEGORY:　art history / sculptures
　
Also hitenkou 飛天光. Lit. flying asparas nimbus. A halo, *kouhai 光背, on a Buddhist image, decorated with heavenly beings, *hiten 飛天, singing and dancing in praise of Buddha. The halo surrounds the whole image, and has a pointed peak, *funagata kouhai 舟形光背. The hiten kouhai came to Japan from N.Wei Dynasty China (5-early 6c) and was used on statues from the Asuka period (late 6c). The central Shaka Nyorai 釈迦如来 (623) in Houryuuji Kondou 法隆寺金堂 was an early example, but the hiten figures are unfortunately now lost. A famous example in openwork carving, *sukashibori 透彫, is found on the Amida Nyorai 阿弥陀如来 (1053) in Byoudouin 平等院 (Kyoto).
　
　

　
REFERENCES:
*nijuu enkou 二重円光, *kyoshinkou 挙身光, *Jouchouyou 定朝様.
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