Iconographic Drawing of the Wisdom King Daiitoku (Daiitoku Myōō)

12th century

Not on view

Daiitoku is a wrathful and protective Wisdom King (Myōō), whose Sanskrit name means “one who stops the power of the King of Hell.” He is shown with multiple heads, eyes, legs, and arms. In four hands he holds a trident, a wheel, a sword, and a jeweled club, while he joins his other two hands with both middle fingers extended, in the mudra of restraint (konpon-in). Painted images of Wisdom Kings like Daiitoku were used in rituals to protect society from harm. The red seal at the lower right of this drawing is an indication of the work’s early owner: the Buddhist monastery Kōzanji in Kyoto.

Artwork Details

Object Information

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References

大威徳明王図像
Title: Iconographic Drawing of the Wisdom King Daiitoku (Daiitoku Myōō)
Period: Heian period (794–1185)
Date: 12th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Hanging scroll; ink on paper
Dimensions: Image: 28 1/4 x 21 1/8 in. (71.8 x 53.7 cm)
Overall with mounting: 65 1/2 x 26 1/2 in. (166.4 x 67.3 cm)
Overall with knobs: 65 1/2 x 28 1/2 in. (166.4 x 72.4 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975
Object Number: 1975.268.13
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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