FUDO MYO-O (FUDOMYO, ACALA)
Japan
19th century
Iron, or bronze with high iron content
Height 18.5 cm
In Japanese Buddhist mythology, Fudo Myo-o (in Sanskrit Acala) is one of the fierce, angry-faced guardian deities of Vajrayana Buddhism. He is is the wrathful, fierce form of the Buddha Vairocana, one of the Five Great Kings of Light, and the most important of the Myo-o class of deities. Fudo is said to be a powerful deity who protects all living beings by burning away defilements, thus aiding them on the path towards enlightment.
Fudo Myo-o is often, as here, depicted standing atop a rock, engulfed in flames. The flaming nimbus or halo behind him is called the 'karura flame', after the mythical fire-breathing birdlike creature Garuda. Fudo Myo-o is holding a vajra-hilt sword in his right, to cut through negative emotions. In his left he is supposed to hold a lariat, a rope or noose to pull men up out of the sea of ignorance, and lead them to enlightenment. The noose here (as in many comparable pieces) is missing. The name Fudo Myo-o means 'motionless' or 'unshakable' - a quality like that of a mountain. Fudo Myo-o is the Japanese name for the Buddha Acala or Acalanatha. He is also seen as the Conqueror of Three Poisons (i.e. the three passions: love, hatred and ignorance), and the destroyer of delusion.
The statue has a glossy, reddish brown patina with a grainy structure, and what appears to be fine, dusty rust in all recessed areas.
Provenance: Paul Brandt Auction, Amsterdam, early 1980s
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