Keywords
Art History
Sculpture
A raised platform with a *tatami 畳 mat on top, often having a brightly colored edge. Originally a seat for nobles, it appears in many works of art as a base *daiza 台座, on which a divine or respected figure sits. It appears in portraits and Shinto images *shinzō 神像, both in sculpture and painting. Images of Prince Shōtoku (see *Shōtoku Taishi-zō 聖徳太子像) and the deity Hachiman *Sōgyō Hachiman 僧形八幡 frequently sit on this type of pedestal. An example is found in the 12th-century painted portrait of high priest Kankū 寛空 (884-972) from Jōbon Rendaiji 上品蓮台寺 in Kyoto.