Minneapolis Institute of Art

Mirror with Aizen Myōō, turtle, and cranes

Japan

Date

late 13th–early 14th century

Medium

Gilt bronze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Aizen Myōō, is one of the Wisdom Kings, fierce spirits associated with esoteric Buddhism. Although his name means “Wisdom King, Imbued with Love, ” a reflection of the love he holds for the Buddha and the love he is shown in return, Aizen Myōō is actually a manifestation of the wrathful aspect of Dainichi, the cosmic Buddha. As such, he has multiple heads and arms and carries a bow and arrow. In this bronze mirror, originally used in esoteric Buddhist ritual, he appears alongside auspicious cranes and turtles. Japan, Asia

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.