Sculpture of Fudo standing in front of a flaming halo from which three phoenix heads emerge. Fudo holds his sword in his right hand, his rope in his left. His flaming halo is curved, surrounding him in a dramatic way.
Exquisite carving in very soft wood, probably cryptomeria (sugi), or cypress (hinoki), lightly stained with a shade of darker brown.
Japan, Meiji period (around 1900)
Height 10.6 in. (27.6 cm).
Excellent condition
Fudo Myoo converts anger into salvation and frightens people into accepting the teachings of the Buddha Dainichi. His sword symbolizes wisdom as it cuts through ignorance. His rope is used to catch and bind demons. The flaming mandorla (also called garuda flame, referring to the fire breathing bird from Indian mythology) represents the purification of the mind by burning away all material desire.
