Japan: Achala (Fudo-myoo) Sculpture Masterworks

Masterworks & National Treasures

Nine Famous Fudo-myoo Sculptures

Shinzo Shiratori, 1-2022

Achalanata, early 13th century, from Kaikei’s production (active 1183–1223). Crafted from cypress wood. Metropolitan Museum of Art collection. (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/53176).

Achalanata, from the 13th century, artist unknown. Art Institute of Chicago. (https://www.artic.edu/artworks/8085/fudo-myo-o).

Achalanata, made during the late Heian period (794-1185). Koyasan Kongobuji Reihokan Museum. Notice the dragon-shaped fire behind. (http://www.reihokan.or.jp/syuzohin/cyokoku.html).

Achalanata, early Heian period. Japanese cypress. Kongobuji Reihokan Museum. It is officially classified by the Japanese Government's Agency for Cultural Affairs as an important cultural property (zhuyoubunkazai). (http://www.reihokan.or.jp/syuzohin/cyokoku.html).

Achalanata, early Heian period, crafted from cypress wood, believed to be made by Kukai himself.

Located in the Mie-do hall of To-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan, this statue was believed to be the honjibutsu, or statue of personal worship, of Kobo Daishi Kukai. The sculpture is never publicly displayed and remains a 'hibutsu' (secret deity). Legend says that during the Heian period many of the construction workers that were building the temple died of unnatural causes after they viewed the statue, which forced the temple to lock the statue up, making it a 'hibutsu for life.' It is officially classified by the Japanese Government's Agency for Cultural Affairs as an important cultural property (zhuyoubunkazai). (https://kanagawabunkaken.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-94.html).

Achalanata, Kamakura period (1203), made by Kaikei, belonging to the Daigo-ji temple, Rei-hou-kan museum. Polychrome wood. It is officially classified by the Japanese Government's Agency for Cultural Affairs as an important cultural property (zhuyoubunkazai). (https://fudosama.blogspot.com/2008/04/daigo-ji.html).

Achalanata, Heian period (10th century). Daigo-ji temple Rei-hou-kan museum collection. It is officially classified by the Japanese Government's Agency for Cultural Affairs as an important cultural property (zhuyoubunkazai). (https://souda-kyoto.jp/blog/00838.html),

Achalanata, believed to be carved from red sandalwood by Kobo Daishi Kukai (774-835). The sculpture is kept in a box and opened only once a year. (The image displayed here is a replica).

The sculpture is known as the Namikiri Fudo (Wave-cutting Fudo). Legend says that on his return voyage to Japan from China, in the year 806, he prayed to this statue to save the boat from capsizing during an intense sea storm which saved not only many lives but ritual objects and texts.

Belonging to the Nanin Temple of Mount Koya, the sculpture is enclosed within a box, away from the public eye as a hibutsu (secret deity). The statue is revealed once a year on June 28th, as the number 28 is associated with Achala in Japanese astrology. June is the auspicious month of Kukai’s birth. (https://koyananin.com/#namikiri, https://fudosama.blogspot.com/2005/05/namikiri-fudo.html).

Achalanata, believed to be carved from cypress wood during the 9th century, possibly 839 (Early Heian Period).

Belonging to the To-ji temple collection, the statue is considered to be Japan’s oldest statue of Achalanata. It is officially classified by the Japanese Government's Agency for Cultural Affairs as a National Treasure. (https://butsuzolink.com/toji/#1603288).

English Language References:

Art In Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. Takaaki Sawa. Weatherhill/Heibonsha, 1972.

Esoteric Buddhist Painting. Hisatoyo Ishida, E. Dale Saunders. Kodansha, 1987.

Kukai: Major Works. Yoshito S. Hakeda. Columbia University, 1972.

Mahavairocana Sutra. Translated by Chikyo Yamamoto. Sata-Pitaka Series volume 359. International Academy of Indian Culture, 1990.

Sacred Treasures of Mount Koya: The Art of Japanese Shingon Buddhism. Koyasan Reihokan Museum, 2003.

Secret Message of Tantric Buddhism. Pierre Rambach. Rizzoli, 1979.

Shingon, Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. Taiko Yamasaki. Shambhala Publications, 1988.

Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, A Handbook For Followers. Koyasan Shingon Mission, 1997.

Shingon Refractions: Myoe and the Mantra of Light. Mark Unno. Wisdom Publications, 2004.

Tantric Buddhism in East Asia. Edited by Richard Payne. Wisdom Publications, 2005.

The Weaving of Mantra, Kukai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse. Ryûichi Abé. Columbia University Press, 1999.

Japanese Language References:

祕密辭林富田斅純加持世界支社

密教大辞典法蔵館密教辭典編纂會編

不動尊霊験祈祷法八幡書店小野清秀

Japan: Achala
Achala