Aizen Myo-o (The Great Passion)

Artist/Culture Japanese

DateLate Edo period

Mediumink and opaque color on silk

Dimensions182.7 x 57.7 cm (71 15/16 x 22 11/16 in.)
Overall1: 96.3 x 41 cm (37 15/16 x 16 1/8 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineGift from the estate of John Chandler Bancroft

Terms

Object number1901.1320

DescriptionKamakura style
Label TextWhile far more decorative and stylized, the composition and iconography of this 19th century painting refers to much earlier works from the Kamakura Period (1185-1382). In Japanese Esoteric Buddhism Aizen Myo-o is traditionally worshipped as the god of love which changes worldly desires into a longing for enlightenment. More popularly he is also worshipped by singers, musicians, prostitutes and young people-especially women-seeking love in order to achieve success and happiness. Aizen Myo-o is also worshipped on the 26th of each month by dyers, who consider him their patron. Aizen Myo-o is characteristically portrayed seated in a lotus pose, endowed with six arms and a red body-red being the color of passion. He holds a bow and an arrow, a lotus flower, a ritual implement called a vajra, and a vajra-handled bell in his hands. Although Aizen is considered a beneficent god his facial expression is ferocious. He has pointed tusk-like teeth, staring eyes, a third eye in the forehead and hair standing-on-end decorated with a lion like demon hear (shishi-kan).ProvenanceEstate of John Chandler Bancroft, Boston MA

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