Kongara-doji, attendant to the Buddhist Deity, Fudo Myo-o (one of a pair with F1970.28)

Object Details

• Artist

  Takuma Choga 宅間長賀 (fl. ca. 1253-70)

• Label

  These images of attendants Kongara-doji and Seitaka-doji originally flanked the central icon of Fudo Myo-o, the fierce diety who protected the Buddhist Law and guided the spiritual journey of those seeking enlightenment through Esoteric Buddhism. The location of the central image is unknown.

  These paintings are unique in two respects. They are the earliest known examples of this subject in which the three elements—two attendants and the now missing central diety--were each depicted in separate paintings. Further, these paintings represent the first known example of a Japanese painter's impressing his own seal on a painting. A prominent Esoteric Buddhist iconographer, Takuma Choga was also regarded as one of the most talented artists of his day. He was active at a time when religious painters emerged from anonymity and were acknowledged as the artists of specific works.

  An ink line drawing of Fudo Myo-o by Takuma Choga is in the collection of Daigoji, an important temple south of Kyoto. This and other evidence suggest that the images seen here may have been created under the auspices of that noted Esoteric temple.

  See also F1970.28.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  In the Shadow of an Apocalypse (October 14, 2017 to October 28, 2018)

  Religious Art of Japan (December 18, 2002 to January 4, 2015)

  Telling Tales in Japanese Art (November 23, 1996 to August 14, 1997)

  Japanese Art (July 1, 1974 to April 10, 1978)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1300s

• Name

  Takuma, Choga

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Kamakura period (1185 - 1333), Art, Acala (Buddhist deity), Vajra, Japanese Art, Anjali mudra, Attendant, Kakemono

• Culture

  Buddhists, Japanese

• Object Type

  Paintings