#kokei

A sculpted image of the monk Genpin (玄賓) (734-818) crafted by the Buddhist artist Kōkei (康慶) and his crew in the late 12th century at the Nan'endō Hall (南円堂) of Kōfukuji Temple (興福寺) in Nara

Toad sitting on a straw sandal, Kokei, 19th century, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Japanese and Korean Art

toad sitting on the sole of an overturned sandal Size: 11/16 x 11/16 x 7/8in. (1.7 x 1.7 x 2.2cm) Medium: Wood

Project Afterman - Mayko

A sculpted image of the monk Jōtō (常騰) (740-815), one of the six patriarchs credited with establishing the Hossō school of Buddhism, the East Asian tradition of Yogācāra or “Consciousness Only,” in Japan

Crafted by the Buddhist artist Kōkei (康慶) in 1189 as part of the larger rebuilding of Kōfukuji Temple (興福寺) in Nara after damage sustained during the recent Genpei War and usually enshrined within the Nan’endō Hall (南円堂) of the temple but here on loan for a special exhibit at the Fukushima Prefectural Museum in Aizuwakamatsu in 2019

Fukūkenjaku Kannon Bodhisattva (不空羂索観音菩薩), “Kannon with the Surefire Lasso”: the principal image of the Nan’endō Hall (南円堂) on the grounds of Kōfukuji Temple (興福寺) in Nara, a wooden joined-block sculpture with crystal eyes crafted in 1189 over a period of 15 months by the artist Kōkei (康慶) and his disciples

“Hell yeah, time for the weekend!” Ryuji crumpled the note from his teacher and shoved it into his back pocket. Best that no one saw that, especially not his grandmother.

“Wait, why are you here Miko?”

Miko looked around, wide-eyed. “Oh... my... whoops! I totally... didn’t... wow this isn’t my stop. What a silly mistake!” 

She had run this scheme by Hina weeks ago, how she might ride the bus just to “accidentally” get off at Ryuji’s stop... and then who knows? Maybe he’d walk her home? Maybe he’d invite her inside to hang out?

Hina thought it was a stupid idea... but then again, Hina was grounded for like the third time this month, and what does that tell you about her overall judgement? 

But as Miko stood in front of a slightly-confused Ryuji, she regretted the decision. Like, a lot. 

“Hold up,” Ryuji said, taking off to drop off his homework before entertaining his surprise guest. Miko wasn’t really his type -- none of the girls on this trash heap island were -- but wholesome-looking company might get his grandparents off his back for awhile.

Unfortunately, awash in nerves, Miko mistook this as a dismissal, or worse, the precursor to public humiliation, and scampered off down the lane towards home. She would never tell Hina about this error in judgment.

When Ryuji peeked back out the front doorway to offer Miko a free dip in the hot springs, he found the front yard empty. 

Whatever.