Chen Heqing - Chinnakei

Date of birth and death unknown. A craftsman from the Southern Song Dynasty in China. He came to Japan at the end of the Heian period. In 1180 (Jisho 4), he was invited by Shunjobo Chogen, who was rebuilding Todaiji Temple in Nara, which had been destroyed by fire during the wars of Taira Shigehira, to participate in the repair of the Great Buddha, whose head and hands had been damaged. With the help of seven Song craftsmen, including his younger brother Chin Butsju, and 14 casters, including Kayabe Koresuke, the repair was completed, and a memorial service for the eye-opening ceremony was held in August 1185 (Bun'ei 1). He then traveled to Suo Province with Chogen to purchase timber for the construction of the Great Buddha Hall. It was under his guidance that Song techniques were adopted to strengthen the architectural structure. According to the "Records of the Construction of Todaiji Temple," it is known that Song craftsmen were involved in the creation of the Great Buddha Hall's right attendant statues and the Four Heavenly Kings, and the stone lion that still stands at the South Gate is said to be a vestige of these craftsmen.

[Rei Yoshimura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

生没年不詳。中国、南宋(なんそう)の工人。平安末期に来日。1180年（治承4）平重衡(しげひら)の兵火によって焼失した奈良・東大寺の再興にあたった俊乗坊重源(しゅんじょうぼうちょうげん)に招かれ、頭部や両手を損傷した大仏の修理に参画、舎弟陳仏寿(ちんぶつじゅ)ら7人の宋工、草部是助(かやべのこれすけ)ら14人の鋳師の助力を得て完成し、1185年（文治1）8月、開眼(かいげん)供養会が行われた。ついで大仏殿造営用の材木を求めるため、重源とともに周防(すおう)国に赴くなど活躍した。建築構造を強固なものにするために、宋の技術を採用したのは彼の指導による。『東大寺造立供養記』によると、宋の工人が大仏殿の右脇侍(きょうじ)、四天王の制作に携わっていることが知れるが、南大門に現存する石獅子(じし)はその遺例とされる。

［吉村　怜］

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