How to carve a Buddha

Posted on August 9, 2010September 24, 2014 by Chong Go Sunim

For all those who bear the secret sign of the woodcarvers’ guild (scars on the thumbs and index fingers from slips with the knife 😉 ), here’s a photo essay on how a wooden Buddha statue is carved. This display is at the Mok-A Museum in Korea, with the finished statue about 10 inches high. The founder is officially designated as what can best be described as National Living Treasure #108. Here’s a link to his site, and here’s a link to some photos of his work. (Click on the images here to see them up close.)

I was surprised to discover that even the smaller statues aren’t carved from a solid block of wood. Using multiple pieces like this might give him better control over the grain and quality of the wood, but perhaps this is simply a model of how he works with bigger statues, where a single block of wood would pose too many problems.

After the main pieces have been rough-shaped, he glues them all together. (Hence the twine.)

o o o o o o o o i p p o

and here’s what the finished statue looks like. Incredible, isn’t it!

Published by Chong Go Sunim

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8 thoughts on “How to carve a Buddha”

zendotstudio August 9, 201012:49 pm Reply

It is amazing and what fun to see how it’s done!
Marcus August 9, 20102:34 pm Reply

Wonderful! But, just imagine, you’ve done all that work, even most of the painting afterwards, and then it’s time to paint that moustache! There’s no way I’d be able to get my hand to stop shaking! LOL!

Thank you for a very interesting post Chong Go Sunim!
1. Chong Go Sunim August 9, 20102:43 pm Reply
  
  Hey Marcus!
  I never thought about the painting! I can’t imagine doing that! He’s painted the individual beads and even the gold lace patterns on the hem of the robes! The woodcarving is within the realm of doable for me, but just thinking about the painting on this makes me feel dizzy!
2. Joseph August 9, 20105:54 pm Reply
  
  That is a good point, the painting is as impressive as the carving!
Barry Briggs August 9, 201011:42 pm Reply

It’s a really beautiful work.

Is it a buddha or a bodhisattva? From the headdress, hair, robe and accoutrements, I assumed a bodhisattva, a version of Kwan Seum Bosal. But I dunno…
1. Chong Go Sunim August 10, 201010:59 am Reply
  
  Hi Barry,
  I think you’re right, though (looking up) from my perspective they all look the same! ^-^
  1. Barry Briggs August 10, 201012:59 pm
    
    From my perspective, they all look like you!
Bonsai Doug August 10, 201012:00 am Reply

Truly gifted hands. I have a friend who has turned into an excellent carver in his retirement. I can see a visit to his workshop in my near future.