cabinets, sculpture, altar cabinets

Altar cabinet, external black lacquered, interior gold lacquer. Fittings. Contains the Fudo-Gestalt, surrounded by fireflies on cliff set, with its two aides (Kongara and Seitaka). Below the figure group is a decorative panel with sayagata patterns. The lacquer is relatively heavily damaged at the rear of the cabinet. The Fudo figure is the Japanese form of Acala or Arya achalanatha (Sanskrit). Acala means the unruly and Fudo is one of the five light kings in the Shingon sect. He often holds snares in his hands in addition to his twisted sword, and these serve to capture those who need his help and in the state after death to be sentenced for his life and to capture Mara, the tempter. He is a legal coffee advocate, a sort of death defense lawyer. White.Schumann, H W. 1986, p 206. According to Edmunds 1934 p 243, he is identifiable with Shiva and he resembles a Dharmapala form of Varjapani, while some identify him with Dai Ichi Nyorai (Vairocana), writes Edmunds. He is the special god of the waterfall. (Edmunds 1934, p 244). His veiled view shows his attitude towards madness, which he is trying to expel. The sword cuts through the evil of the illusory worlds to bring out the real world. The rope can be used to bind the illusory enemy of the Enlightenment. He is also a guardian god for samurai. White.: Smith, L, Harris, C, Clark, T. 1990, p 33. Fudo is one of the five myo-o and his sword can also symbolize wisdom and compassion and with it he can fight the three folly (anger, madness and greed). The rope can also be used to tie those who oppose the Buddha. The Fudo cult became especially popular from the 16th century. His two associates often appearing in the same constellation are Seitaka and Kongara. White.: Asiatic Mythology.1932, p 425-26. (PH)