Existing comment:
Kongo Yasha
Japan, Kamakura period, 13th century
Wood with color, gold, and gilt bronze ornaments
This guardian deity of Buddhism was assimilated from Indian religion. Known in the Indian Sanskrit language as Vajrayaksha, he is represented by a head with three faces and by six arms that wield weapons and Buddhist symbols. These include the Wheel of the Buddhist Law in the upper left hand and a ritual bell with a handle in the form of a vajra, or thunderbolt, in the upper right hand. This sculpture is based on a larger image preserved in the Buddhist temple Toji, in Kyoto. |