Art Institute of Chicago
Gozanze Myo-o
Nakabayashi Gennai
- Date
- 1680
- Medium
- Wood with polychromy
- Culture
- Japan
- Department
- Arts of Asia
- Institution
- Art Institute of Chicago
This sculpture depicts Gozanze Myo-o, a four-faced, multi-limb deity, trampling Daijizaiten and his consort, Uma, the gods of unruly human passion. The figure belonged to an ensemble of five sculptures arranged within the sanctuary of an Esoteric Buddhist temple. The group was known collectively as the Godai Myo-o (Five Great Lords of Light), and together the sculptures symbolize the rage against all threats to Buddhism and all obstacles to enlightenment. Such icons were introduced to Japan from China by the monk Kukai in the ninth century, and they were used in ceremonies to bless and protect the nation.
The authoritative record is held by Art Institute of Chicago. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.
Linked open data
Authority identifiers that link this record into the wider web of cultural data — stable references you can follow to the source.
- Object type
- AAT300301253
Related across collections
Semantically similar works from Art Institute of Chicago and other institutions.
Fudo Myo-o
Art Institute of Chicago
Aizen Myōō, The Wisdom King of Passion
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Aizen Myōō, The Wisdom King of Passion
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Daigensui Myōō
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Daiitoku Myōō, the Wisdom King of Awe-Inspiring Power
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Aizen Myōō
Cleveland Museum of Art
Aizen Myōō
Cleveland Museum of Art
Wisdom King of Great Awe-inspiring Power (Daiitoku Myōō)
Cleveland Museum of Art
A Heavenly General (One of the Junishinshō)
Cleveland Museum of Art
Daoist Stele of Five Deities
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Shukongojin
Art Institute of Chicago
Zaō Gongen
Cleveland Museum of Art