Statue

29-96-346

Location: On Display in the Asia Galleries

From: Japan | Koyasan Temple

Curatorial Section: Asian

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Object Number 29-96-346
Current Location Asia Galleries - On Display
Culture Japanese | Buddhist
Provenience Japan | Koyasan Temple
Period Edo Period | 18th Century
Date Made 1780 CE
Section Asian
Materials Wood | Lacquer
Technique Gilding
Iconography Fudo
Inscription Language Japanese Language
Description

Fudo 不動 is a wrathful deity, one of the five Wisdom Kings (Myōō 明王), of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. The name Fudō “The Immovable” is a translation of his Sanskrit name, Acala. He often appears as a supporter of the Buddha Vairocana. Acala/Fudō is depicted in Japanese or Tibetan art holding a sword and lasso, with a fierce expression, and flames around his body. This statue was purchased by Maxwell Sommerville in 1900 from Koyasan Temple in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. He wears a metal and bead necklace and sits on a stylized rock formation. The sword and lasso are missing.

Height 58 cm
Width 55 cm
Credit Line Bequest of Maxwell Sommerville, 1904

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