A
powerful Edo era Kannon in dark fruitwood, hewn in modified itto-bori, or
one-knife carving technique, also called "to no kiri" (sword cut carving,) producing
a faceted surface, with each facet reflecting a single cut. "Ittobori," means
"every stroke counts," because the artist’s full concentration goes into every
cut of the carving tool, a flat, square-shaped chisel called a sarukiri. The technique
was used quite a bit around the Taisho period (1920’s,) in doll-making yet its
origin is lost in time, as simple wood carvings known as Sanano-ittobori have
survived among farmers in Yamagata Prefecture for more than a thousand years.
This
itto-bori Kannon is dramatic in its simplicity and the solidity and weightiness
of its form. Every detail is summarily carved with great skill, achieving an effect
of monumentality in the serene face and head, the crown bearing a geometrically
abstracted figure of Amitabha, of whom Kannon is an emanation. The right hand
is lifted in the abaya mudra of no-fear, while the left holds the water bottle,
a symbol of the great compassion of Kannon, whose tears of pity cool even the
fires of hell. In this supremely challenging technique, all elements have been
boldly registered, including the undercut trailing scarves, the parallel folds
of fabric and the lotus base set upon an ornamented plinth.
