Fudō Myōō, the Immovable Wisdom King (Achala Vidyaraja)
Fudō Myōō is worshipped as a wrathful avatar of Dainichi, the buddha at the center of the Buddhist cosmos. A tenacious protector of Buddhist teachings, Fudō is armed with a lasso and sword to subdue negative forces. In keeping with scriptural descriptions, this example, created in the workshop of the leading sculptor Kaikei, portrays a full-bodied, menacing figure biting his lower lip, with his hair bound and falling over his left shoulder.
Artwork Details
- 快慶作 不動明王坐像 (Fudō Myōō zazō)
- Title: Fudō Myōō, the Immovable Wisdom King (Achala Vidyaraja)
- Artist: Kaikei (Japanese, active 1183–1223)
- Period: Kamakura period (1185–1333)
- Date: early 13th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Japanese cypress with lacquer, color, gold, cut gold leaf (kirikane), and inlaid crystal eyes
- Dimensions: H. 21 in. (53.3 cm); W. 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm); D. 15 in. (38.1 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.300.252a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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