Resized to 78% of original (view original)
Artist's commentary
Miroku Bosatsu
I originally wanted to give Maitreya Bodhisattva a feminine image. Something along the lines of Bodhisattva as the mother, while Nyorai would be the father. I focused on the androgynous aspect, and tried all kinds of appearances, but I also had to think about the balance between the three gods of the Divine Powers, so in the end I settled on a large version. The historical Maitreya was depicted in medieval China as a fat figure, there are also details where he was altered and became Hotei, so I figured this type of design would also be interesting. I'd still like one day to try my hand at drawing an androgynous pretty Maitreya.