Crafts from Bhutan
Thirteen crafts; Thirteen Chapters
I pay reverence to all the organizations in Bhutan, working
for revival and fortification Bhutanese crafts.
Bhutan Art and craft is known and represented as “Zorig
Chusum”.
Zo means “to make”, rig means “Science”, Chusum means
“Thirteen” and therefore called; “Zorig Chusum”.
It is easily understood as,
1.Dezo; paper making craft
2.Dozo; Stone work
3.Garzo; Blacksmithing
4.Jinzo; Clay Arts
5.Ihazo;Painting
6.Lugzo;Bronze casting
7.Parzo; Wood and slate craving
8.Shagzo;Woodtruning
9.Shingzo;Woodworking
10.Thagzo ;Weaving
11. Trozo ; Silver and goldsmith
12.Tshazo ; Cane and Bamboo work
13.Tshemazo;Needlework
Painting, sculpture, carving, calligraphy, paper making,
casting, and embroidery are considered auspicious and prestigious art as it
connects directly with religious facet of life. Many Monks and Lamas themselves
are great artist and have involved in these seven arts. It is considered as
highly praiseworthy action and blessings.
In each chapter, one art form will be detailed to understand
its importance, intricacy, value and The Bhutani aspect.
First Art : Ihazo (Painting)
This art is invariably religion centric and artist makes it
without inscribing their name on it. It is traditional Art practiced only by
men. These painting strictly follow iconographic rules of Buddhism. It is
mostly done on cloths/fabrics for murals, banners. Mineral pigments are mainly
used.
Since 1980, synthetic colours are used while prettifying
outside walls and woodwork of buildings and houses.
The iconographic rules of Buddhism, are the images of
symbolize nature are found in many texts. The most common symbols which are
used in Ihazo, are the stupas, The Dharma wheel, The Bodhi Tree, The lotus
flower, The pillars of Ashoka, Noble eightfold path, The teaching of
Buddhadharma, The Bodhi tree, The potential of mind, The nirvana, The trishul,
The Vajra, The three jewels, The swastika, and the empty throne.
The Dharma wheel is traditionally represented with eight
spokes.This was the concept of Monarch of wheel or chakravatin. It began to be
used in Buddha context on the pillars of Ashoka. The Dharma wheel referred to
the historical process of teaching buddhadharma. The eight spokes referred to
eightfold path. The lotus referring to the quality of compassion and is the
notion of the inherent pure potential of mind.
The Bodhi Tree has uniquely shaped leaves and lotus flower. The Bodhi
tree represents the spot where Buddha has reached nirvana, a state of
liberation.
Other symbols as well used in Ihazo are the monks begging
bowl and trishul. The Vajra diamond rod and a symbolization of the three
jewels, “The Buddha, The Dharma, and The sangha”. The lion, rider less horse represents
enunciation and deers representing discipline, are few more symbols visible in
iconography. Lion Roar in the suttas referred to their power and nobility.
The swastika in India was used by Buddhists and Hindus to
represent good fortune. The first hint of a human representation in Buddhists
symbolism appear with Buddha footprint.
The five colours in buddha art is representative of the process of the purification and empowering of sense organs. This occurs during meditation.
White colour is for eyes, Blue for ears, yellow for nose, red for the tongue, and green for head.
The five colours are the "Panch-varna". These colours are symbolised in "Chandamaharosana" as Black for killing the anger, white denotes rest and thinking, yellow for restraining and nourishing, red for suppression, and green for exorcism.
The elaboration of colours may change but the number remains five. The five transcendental Buddha, and each represented by one colour.
Vairochana - White bodied ; Ratnasmabhava - yellow bodied; Akshobhya-Blue Bodied; Amitabha- Red Bodied; Amoghasiddhi- Green Bodied;
It is also relevant to see that by meditation on the individual colours, following metamorphosis can be achieved and so depicted in paintings.
White transforms the delusion of ignorance into the wisdom of reality
Yellow transforms pride into wisdom of sameness
Blue transforms anger into mirror like wisdom
Red transforms the delusion of attachment into the wisdom of discernment
Green transforms jealousy into the wisdom of accomplishment
The five colours in buddha art is representative of the process of the purification and empowering of sense organs. This occurs during meditation.
White colour is for eyes, Blue for ears, yellow for nose, red for the tongue, and green for head.
The five colours are the "Panch-varna". These colours are symbolised in "Chandamaharosana" as Black for killing the anger, white denotes rest and thinking, yellow for restraining and nourishing, red for suppression, and green for exorcism.
Vairochana - White bodied ; Ratnasmabhava - yellow bodied; Akshobhya-Blue Bodied; Amitabha- Red Bodied; Amoghasiddhi- Green Bodied;
White transforms the delusion of ignorance into the wisdom of reality
Yellow transforms pride into wisdom of sameness
Blue transforms anger into mirror like wisdom
Red transforms the delusion of attachment into the wisdom of discernment
Green transforms jealousy into the wisdom of accomplishment
I am Thankful to under mentioned organizations, has helped me to understand and present the craft by apparel and Design learning perspective.
http://www.bhutanculturalatlas.org/20/culture/intangible-heritage/arts-crafts/introduction-to-arts-and-crafts-zorig-chusum/
National Museum Bhutan, National Institute of Zorig Chusum.
