jitō　耳とう

Also nitō. Round earrings found on sculpted Buddhist images. These were used on Chinese figures, but were extremely rare in Japan. Japanese sculpture on which these earrings were used tends to show strong Chinese influence. The Jūichimen Kannonzō 十一面観音像 in Kōgenji 向源寺 (early 9th century) Shiga Prefecture, is the best example.