Arkivism
Fudo Myo 'o, with attendants Kongara and Seitaka
CC0 · no rights reserved

Fudo Myo 'o, with attendants Kongara and Seitaka

14th-15th century · Color and gold on silk

From the collection of National Museum of Asian Art (Freer/Sackler). Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The Buddhist deity Fudo Myo'o stands atop a rocky ledge, attended by two young boys, Kongara and Seitaka, who stand together at right. Fudo Myo'o is surrounded by flames, which represent light and the deity's fierce determination to protect Buddhism against all enemies. He holds his sword and rope to strike down and bind the enemies of Buddhism. To the left of the rock is a sword entwined by a dragon surrounded by flames, clouds, and thunderbolts. The dragon is associated throughout East Asia with thunder, rain, and water, but in this form, encircling a sword and surrounded by flames, it symbolizes Fudo Myo'o.

National Museum of Asian Art (Freer/Sackler)’s own description
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Credit lineFudo Myo 'o, with attendants Kongara and Seitaka. 14th-15th century. National Museum of Asian Art (Freer/Sackler), Gift of Charles Lang Freer. CC0.

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