Fudo Myoo Threatening young Yuten Shōnin
Artist
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡 芳年
(Japanese, 1839–1892)
DateMay 1885
Mediumwoodblock print; ink, color, embossing, and mica on paper
Dimensions37.4 x 76.7 cm (oban triptych)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineHarriet B. Bancroft Fund
Object number1999.391
DescriptionYuten Shōnin (1637–1718), a young Buddhist novice who found it difficult to study the long texts, vowed to become a better student before the image of Fudō-myōō, a ferocious Buddhist guardian deity. He later dreamed of swallowing a sword, Fudō’s implement, and woke up the next morning coughing blood, fully recommitted to his studies and eventually becoming abbot of Zōjō temple. In the dream, Fudō climbs down from his pedestal to approach Yuten. The printing techniques enhance every detail from the embossing on Yuten’s robes to the glittering mica in the smoke. The vigorous print execution is visible in the marks left by the printing pad behind the pedestal.Label TextYuten Shōnin (1637–1718), a young Buddhist novice who found it difficult to study the long texts, vowed to become a better student before the image of Fudō-myōō, a ferocious Buddhist guardian deity. He later dreamed of swallowing a sword, Fudō’s implement, and woke up the next morning coughing blood, fully recommitted to his studies and eventually becoming abbot of Zōjō temple. In the dream, Fudō climbs down from his pedestal to approach Yuten. The printing techniques enhance every detail from the embossing on Yuten’s robes to the glittering mica in the smoke. The vigorous print execution is visible in the marks left by the printing pad behind the pedestal.ProvenanceIsrael Goldman, London; Theodor Schiewe Collection
On View
Not on view
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡 芳年
December 11th 1876
