The Guardian King Fudo Myo-o: The Immovable One

1671 Words4 Pages

The Art Institute of Chicago houses a sculpture that epitomizes Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Born from an influence of Chinese esoteric Buddhism and the Indian God Shiva, the deity Fudo Myo-o, or “The Immovable One”, is one of the most important figures in Japanese Buddhism. The deity first appears in the Heian Period during the ninth century and is made to help followers of Buddhism with any adversity faced. During the Kamakura Period from the 12th-14th centuries the figure of this guardian king developed into a more realistic sculptural form. Fudo Myo-o is unique to the Shingon Buddhism of Japan with qualities that distinguish him from most any other deity, qualities that embody his vicious compassion, wisdom, and wrath.

At a mere 16 3/8 inches, the Fudo Myo-o at the Art Institute at Chicago is not the first object in the Japanese collection to catch your eye. Yet, when you pass by it will stop you in your tracks. The Fudo Myo-o is like nothing you’ve ever seen. His bulging eyes fasten onto your own, a gaze so vicious you cannot tear away from it. His piercing stare draws you in and his stance seems to beckon you to come forth. His furrowed brow and protruding fangs created a facial expression so intense it feels almost as if he is trying to tell you something. His arms seem to have, at some point, been holding something and they are open as if they are welcoming you and offer some kind of promise. Fudo sits upon a rectangular foundation, which gives the impression that his is some kind of deity or god-like figure. The Fudo Myo-o has fabric draped over his left shoulder and is wearing lavish jewelry reminiscent of a Bodhisattva. His jewelry also hints to the viewer that he must have some level of nobility. He also has shell li...

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...icago. The Art Institute of Chicago, 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2011.

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Mack, Karen. “The Phenomenon of Invoking Fudo for Pure Land Rebirth in

Image and Text.” Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 33.2 (2006): 297-317. Jstor. 12 Oct 2011.

Mason, Penelope. History of Japanese Art. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:

Prentice Hall, 2004. Print. 12 Oct 2011

Miyake, Hitoshi. “Religious Rituals in Shugendo: A Summary.”

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