A SATSUMA STYLE CERAMIC FIGURE OF FUDO MYO-O AND ACOLYTES Japan, late 19th to early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The blue Fudo Myo-o (Acala) is depicted seated on a rockwork base with a short inscription, ‘Naritasan‘, and towering over crashing waves, holding a metal sword hilt in his right hand, the left hand raised, wearing a robe draped over his left shoulder and richly adorned in beaded jewelry, a flaming mandorla crafted from metal attached behind him, flanked by two of his acolytes below, Seitaka to his left and Kongara to his right, each standing on a similar rockwork base, all supported on a stepped plinth, the back with an impressed double-gourd seal mark.

HEIGHT 12.7 cm

Condition: Overall good condition, extensive wear, minor losses to the attributes, chips to the lotus held by Kongara, one hand of Seitaka is missing, further minuscule losses here and there.
Provenance: German private collection in the Rhineland.

Naritasan (“Narita mountain”) Shinshoji (“New victory temple”) is a Shingon Buddhist temple located in central Narita, Chiba prefecture. It was founded in 940 by Kancho Daisojo, a disciple of Kobo Daishi. It is dedicated to Fudo Myo-o and is one of the best-known temples in the Kanto region.