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Aizen-myōō portable shrine

 
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Title
Aizen-myōō portable shrine
Description
A portable shrine containing a wooden statue of Aizen-myōō, the "King of Lust." The figure is seated in meditation on a shijō-rin (blazing circle) in a lotus blossom and emits a reddish glow, the ardent fire of his compassion which brings salvation to all beings. The figure sits in front of a gachirin (moon disk) and wears a shishi-kan (lion crown). The wooden case is cylindrical and the interior is painted gold. The exterior of the case has double-hinged doors and is painted with black lacquer.
Format Extent
1 wooden statue and 1 wooden case; Height of statue: approximately 8 cm (3 in)
Subject
Aizen-myōō (Buddhist deity); Buddhism--Japan; Buddhist sculpture--Japan; Rāgarāja vidyarāja (Buddhist deity); Woodwork--Religious aspects
Note
Portable shrines such as this were used by devotees of Aizen in rituals intended to subdue enemies and rituals to seduce a love interest. In both instances, the name of the person of interest would be written and placed in the mouth of the lion adorning the statue.
Collection
Jim and Jeanne Pieper Collection, AR-010, A12
Donor
Jim and Jeanne Pieper
Type
Keywords
Geographic Location
Japan
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