National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

　Fudo Myoo (Skt. Acala) has the power to destroy obstacles to Buddhism and acts under orders from Dainichi (Skt. Mahāvairocana). Therefore, it is also known as the envoy Fudo (Fudo shisha). Fudo Myoo also has acolytes known as the Eight Child Acolytes (Hachidai Doji) including two Doji, Kongara (Skt. Kiṃkara) and Seitaka (Skt. Ceṭaka). The Fudo in this painting is considered to have been established by the painter-priest Gencho from Asukadera Temple in the Heian period (794–1185) and the styles follow those that became popular thereafter. The Eight Child Acolytes is a set of child acolytes that was newly created by adding some changes to each one from various origins. The compositions created by these combined features seem to be original. The halo with flames of Fudo is skillfully designed and shaped in three sacred birds called Karura (Skt. Garuḍa) and the characteristic of Fudo that burns down all obstacles is enhanced by using the twist of surrounding everything, including the Eight Child Acolytes, with flames. As there is no evidence of drafting the part of the flames surrounding the child acolytes, they are considered to have been added at the time of coloring along with the intended expressions. This is one of the indications of the creativity of this painting. The images are drawn with accurate brush strokes in ink and a careful attempt was made to keep these features relatively simple by coloring them without applying many gold or silver patterns, which makes this painting distinctive.