Unkei

Unkei 運慶
Unkei in the guise of a monk.
Born	c. 1150 (1150) Kansai region, Japan
Died	1223 (aged 72–73) Kansai region, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Known for	Sculpture
Notable work	Dainichi Nyorai at Enjō-ji (National Treasure) Six Attendants of Fudō Myōō at Reihōkan (National Treasure) Kongōrikishi at Tōdai-ji (National Treasure) Muchaku and Seshin at Kōfuku-ji (National Treasure)
Movement	Kei school

Unkei (Japanese: 運慶; c. 1150^[1] – 1223) was a Japanese sculptor of the Kei school, which flourished in the Kamakura period. He specialized in statues of the Buddha and other important Buddhist figures. Unkei's early works are fairly traditional, similar in style to pieces by his father, Kōkei. However, the sculptures he produced for the Tōdai-ji in Nara show a flair for realism different from anything Japan had seen before. Today, Unkei is the best known of the Kei artists, and many art historians consider him its "most distinguished member".^[2]