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

The Wisdom King Fudō (Skt. Acala) has the power to destroy obstacles on the Buddhist path. Fudō acts on the orders of the buddha Dainichi (Skt. Mahāvairocana), leading to his other name “messenger Fudō,” but the Wisdom King has his own messengers in the child attendants known as the Eight Great Child Acolytes, which include the pair Kongara (Skt. Kiṃkara) and Seitaka (Skt. Ceṭaka). The depiction of Fudō in this painting is based on later versions with a prescribed form thought to have been established by the painter-priest Genchō (dates unknown) of Asukadera Temple in the Heian period (794–1185). The rendering of the Eight Great Child Acolytes appears to be a new variation created by selecting and adjusting elements from other painting lineages. This composition blending these two depiction styles is probably unique. Fudō’s flaming mandorla is skillfully designed to form the shapes of three sacred birds called karura (Skt. garuḍa). Fudō’s ability to incinerate all obstacles is highlighted by surrounding all the elements in flame, including the Eight Great Child Acolytes. The artist’s creativity is shown in the lack of underdrawings in parts of the flames surrounding the child acolytes, indicating these were added on the spur of the moment to match the artist’s vision for the work. The painting is further distinguished for its emphasis on precise brushwork in ink. The artist seems to have used relatively simple colored elements and very little ornamental patterning or gold and silver so as not to detract from the ink brushwork.