On top of the Chinese Buddha's head is a formation that, though it appears like a bowl, is really a rendition of the usnisa: the crown chakra. The usnisa all but disappeared in Japanese Buddhas, evident in the relatively flat-topped Kamakura Buddha.
The Kamakura Buddha thus illustrates how Japanese culture simplified the image of Buddha. The Chinese bronze statue, and many other Chinese Buddha images, are comparatively ornate when viewed alongside similar Japanese Buddhas. In the Chinese statue, Buddha sits on a platform flanked by two guardian beasts like lions or dogs. Such imagery is rare in Japanese renditions of Buddha. The Kamakura Buddha sits only on the stone platform built for the statue; there is no bronze carved platform whatsoever. This possibly indicates the Buddha's absolute simplicity and grounding.
Moreover, the Kamakura Buddha looks stunningly solid. Wide shoulders, paralleled by the folded legs, give an aura of strength and solemnity. On the contrary,...
The Kamakura Buddha also has no decorations behind him. On the Chinese statue, petals of what is likely a lotus blossom peek out from behind and look like flames. Whereas the Chinese Buddha seems unsettled, the Kamakura Buddha appears unmovable.
In many ways, the Japanese Kamakura is an emblem of the transcendent yet straightforward goals of the Buddhist meditation practice. The Kamakura Buddha is not representative of all Japanese Buddhist art but it does signify the way Buddhism evolved in Japan. Whether Mahayana/Zen or Pure Land, Japanese Buddhist art imparts a peace and simplicity that is rare save for some of the earliest Indian statues.
References
Ebrey, P.B. "Buddhism." A Visual Sourcebook of Chinese Civilization. Retrieved Oct 11, 2007 at http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/bud/5budhism.htm
