busshi keizu 仏師系図

The lineage of a Buddhist sculptor *busshi 仏師, often presented as a genealogical table. From the middle of the Heian period onward, the profession of head sculptor *daibusshi 大仏師, in a sculpture workshop *bussho 仏所, was considered to be a hereditary position. The best known busshi keizu are those that concern the *Kei-ha 慶派, *En-pa 円派, and *In-pa 院派 schools, all said to be descended from Kōshō 康尚 (11th century) and his son Jōchō 定朝 (?-1057, see *Jōchōyō 定朝様). However, not all sources agree, and numerous distinct lineage records exist. Adopted sons and pupils were also included in busshi keizu, and are not always distinguishable from direct descendants.