Page 186 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke
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164 | KOGETSU: A PAIR OF FINE The temple guardians deftly carved with wrathful expressions,
WOOD OKIMONO OF NIO emaciated rib cages, and muscular arms, wearing flowing skirts
with heavenly bands, the arms and torsos left bare. Note the many
By Kogetsu, signed Kogetsu fine details, such as the neatly incised hair and brows as well as the
Japan, 19th century skillfully carved faces. Signed KOGETSU to the underside of one of
the Nio’s band.
Nio or Kongorikishi are two wrathful and muscular guardians of the
Buddha standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples
in East Asian Buddhism in the form of frightening wrestler-like
statues. They are dharmapala manifestations of the bodhisattva
Vajrapani, the oldest and most powerful of the Mahayana Buddhist
pantheon. According to Japanese tradition, they travelled with
Gautama Buddha to protect him. Within the generally pacifist
tradition of Buddhism, stories of dharmapalas justified the use of
physical force to protect cherished values and beliefs against evil.
Nio are also seen as a manifestation of Mahasthamaprapta, the
bodhisattva of power that flanks Amitabha in Pure Land Buddhism
and as Vajrasattva in Tibetan Buddhism. They are usually a pair of
figures that stand under a separate temple entrance gate usually
called Niomon in Japan. The right statue is called Misshaku Kongo
(or Agyo) and has his mouth open, and the left statue is called
Naraen Kongo (or Ungyo) and has his mouth closed. Similar to
Alpha and Omega in Christianity, they signify “everything”.
HEIGHT 26 cm and 26.3 cm
Condition: Few small natural age cracks here and there, otherwise
in very good condition with few minor traces of wear.
Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 2,500
Starting price EUR 1,250
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