Tendai Buddhist Figure Kongodoji

Description Kongodoji Myoo is one of several "Kings of Knowledge," wrathful manifestations, in this case of the Buddha Amitabha, revered in the Tendai (Taimitsu) sect of Buddhism and by the practitioners of Shugendo mountain asceticism. Kongodoji is characterized by matted hair, his left foot raised and his right on a lotus, two arms, the left raised holding a three-pronged vajra and the right lowered in the varada mudra, and he presents a yellow body. He is looked to for subjugation of evil and called upon for help in safe childbirth.

Provenance Yamanaka & Co., New York [date and mode of aquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, baltimore, 1920, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1920