114 - A LARGE GILT- AND POLYCHROME-WOOD FIGURE OF AIZEN MYO-O, EDO PERIOD

A LARGE GILT- AND POLYCHROME-WOOD FIGURE OF AIZEN MYO-O, EDO PERIOD Japan, 17th-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved and richly decorated in polychrome pigments and gilding, the six-armed wrathful deity seated in dhyanasana atop a magnificent lotus throne, its overlapping rows of fleshy petals painted in vivid shades of red and pink, with finely articulated veining and gilt edges. The deity is clad in elaborately patterned robes falling in deeply carved folds across his crossed legs, further adorned with elaborate gilt jewelry, beaded necklaces, and ornamental armlets. His six arms are raised in expressive gestures, holding various ritual attributes including a bow, arrow, lotus bud, and ritual bell. The ferocious red face is modeled with three glaring eyes, deeply furrowed brows, a broad nose, and an open mouth revealing fangs. The head is surmounted by a dramatic coiffure of flame-shaped locks, crowned by a gilt shishi head and kongo ornament. The figure is backed by an impressive circular kohai (halo), its concentric bands embellished with stylized flames and cloud motifs, all within a broad gilt-edged disc. The lotus throne rises from an elaborately decorated treasure vase, draped with a finely pleated ornamental cloth and supported on a tiered lotus base, all resting on a broad circular platform surrounded by gilt sacred-jewel finials. HEIGHT 30.5 cm (figure), 68.7 cm (overall) Condition: Good condition with expected age-related wear, minor losses, and possible old restorations, including rubbing and flaking to the polychrome decoration and gilding, with associated retouching. Some ritual attributes are lost, replaced, or fragmentary. Overall presenting remarkably well. Aizen Myo-o (sanskrit: Ragaraja), translatable as ‘Lust-tainted Wisdom King’, is a wrathful embodiment of Buddha, whose purpose is to teach through fear by warning against the depravity of earthly desires. Introduced to Japan in the 9th century, the Esoteric Wisdom Kings were originally Hindu deities, later adopted into the Buddhist pantheon, each emphasizing the expulsion of a particular form of degeneracy. While Aizen Myo-o’s startling appearance was meant to directly warn the viewer against passion and lust, artistic renditions of the deity in Japan were typically hidden objects, used for consultation and intercession by only a few select monks, giving lay people little or no access to Aizen’s image. However, as his imagery became more popularly available over time, there was a change of focus, during the Edo period when, ironically, Aizen became venerated as the patron of prostitutes and brothel owners, subverting his profound Shingon meaning for satirical purposes. Museum comparison: Compare a related polychromed wood figure of seated Aizen Myo-o, dated to the 17th century, Edo period, in the Nezu Museum, Tokyo, exhibited in Merciful Bodhisattvas, Terrifying Deities, 25 July-25 August 2019. Auction comparison: Compare a related gilt and polychromed wood figure of Aizen Myo-o, dated to the 15th century, 69.3 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 15 March 2017, New York, lot 6158 (sold for USD 20,000 or approx. EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).