Figure of a Rakan 19th century

This small figure of a Rakan was created by Dr. Bunkio Masaki, and now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is made of glazed earthenware. The figure presents a contemplative Rakan, its form defined by fluid, almost dissolving lines. The glaze pools and thins, creating a mottled texture that enlivens the surface. Notice how the artist uses this glaze not just as a covering but as an active element that suggests movement. The folds of the robe seem to flow around the figure, obscuring the underlying form. The artist’s approach to form reflects an engagement with the concept of impermanence. Masaki destabilizes the traditional representation of religious figures, favoring a fluid, unfixed form. The semiotic system normally associated with religious iconography is subtly subverted, challenging fixed meanings and encouraging a more subjective interpretation. The figure becomes a vessel for contemplation, its very form reflecting the transient nature of existence.