6th Dec, 2024 10:00
Fine Japanese Art
157
A GILT AND POLYCHROMED WOOD FIGURE OF AIZEN MYO-O, MUROMACHI PERIOD
Sold for €23,400
including Buyer's Premium
Japan, 14th-15th century, Muromachi period (1333-1573)
Finely carved with gilt and polychrome decoration, the red-skinned wrathful deity seated in dhyanasana atop a lotus throne with finely carved petals decorated in gold and black hiramaki-e with the Three Jewels (sambo), raised on an elaborate tiered base of lobed form with further petals and neatly carved balustrade. He is dressed in brocade robes and adorned with the original openworked metal necklace and headdress, his six arms holding attributes including a kongo (vajra), ritual bell, and bow and arrow. The face with a fierce expression and crystal-inlaid eyes, the flaming coiffure surmounted by a shishi head with vajra finial, all backed by a flaming kohai with central pierced flowerhead.
HEIGHT 18.8 cm (the figure) and 44.5 cm (total)
Condition: Very good condition with old wear, minor flaking and losses to lacquer, some elements of the base with remnants of adhesive.
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.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related wood figure of seated Aizen Myo-o, dated 1256, in the Nara National Museum, accession number 958(彫56-2). Compare a related wood figure of Aizen Myo-o, dated 14th-15th century, 73 cm tall, in The British Museum, museum number 1885,1227.27.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related gilt and polychromed wood figure of Aizen Myo-o, dated to the 15th century, 69.3 cm tall, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 15 March 2017, New York, lot 6158 (sold for USD 20,000).
Japan, 14th-15th century, Muromachi period (1333-1573)
Finely carved with gilt and polychrome decoration, the red-skinned wrathful deity seated in dhyanasana atop a lotus throne with finely carved petals decorated in gold and black hiramaki-e with the Three Jewels (sambo), raised on an elaborate tiered base of lobed form with further petals and neatly carved balustrade. He is dressed in brocade robes and adorned with the original openworked metal necklace and headdress, his six arms holding attributes including a kongo (vajra), ritual bell, and bow and arrow. The face with a fierce expression and crystal-inlaid eyes, the flaming coiffure surmounted by a shishi head with vajra finial, all backed by a flaming kohai with central pierced flowerhead.
HEIGHT 18.8 cm (the figure) and 44.5 cm (total)
Condition: Very good condition with old wear, minor flaking and losses to lacquer, some elements of the base with remnants of adhesive.
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.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related wood figure of seated Aizen Myo-o, dated 1256, in the Nara National Museum, accession number 958(彫56-2). Compare a related wood figure of Aizen Myo-o, dated 14th-15th century, 73 cm tall, in The British Museum, museum number 1885,1227.27.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related gilt and polychromed wood figure of Aizen Myo-o, dated to the 15th century, 69.3 cm tall, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 15 March 2017, New York, lot 6158 (sold for USD 20,000).
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