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Kaikei

1150 – 1250

Japanese artist and painter

Painter Busshi
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About Kaikei

Lived 1150 – 1250 (aged 99–100). Kaikei was a Japanese painter and busshi.

was a Japanese Busshi (sculptor of Buddha statue) of the Kamakura period, known alongside Unkei. Because many busshi of the school have a name including kei (慶), his school is called Kei-ha (Kei school). Kaikei being also called , his style is called and is known to be intelligent, pictorial and delicate. Most of his works have a height of about three shaku, and there are many of his works in existence.

Primary work Boston Miroku (1189) - Earliest attributable work. Amitabha Triad in Jōdo-ji in Ono (1195) - National Treasure of Japan. Most important work. Height: 24.6 ft Hachiman in Tōdai-ji (1201) - National Treasure of Japan. Burke Jizō (1203) - Metropolitan Museum of Art Nio(Agyō) in Tōdai-ji (1203) - National Treasure of Japan. Joint production with Unkei and 13 assistant sculptors. Mahamayuri in Kinpusen-ji (1200) - Important Cultural Property of Japan. Maitreya in Sanbō-in (1192) - Important Cultural Property of Japan. Vairocana in Ishiyama-dera (1194) - Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Attributed or Alleged Work

Statue of Chōgen (1201-1206), attributed to Kaikei and/or Unkei, National Treasure of Japan; Tōdai-ji

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Important facts

Born
1150
Birth century
Died
1250
Occupation
Nationality

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Kaikei's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Kaikei?

Japanese artist and painter (1150-1250)

When was Kaikei born?

Kaikei was born in 1150.

When did Kaikei die?

Kaikei died in 1250.

What was Kaikei's occupation?

Kaikei was a painter and busshi.

What nationality was Kaikei?

Kaikei was Japanese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Kaikei

· Wikidata: Q3191958

· DBpedia: Kaikei

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kaikei. https://biography.guide/kaikei/

MLA: "Kaikei." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kaikei/.

Chicago: "Kaikei." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kaikei/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:02 UTC