Artwork Page for Aizen Myōō

Details / Information for Aizen Myōō

Aizen Myōō

愛染明王像

1300s

Japan, Kamakura period (1185–1333) to Nanbokuchō period

(1336–92)
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
Measurements
Painting: 102 x 60.5 cm (40 3/16 x 23 13/16 in.); Mounted: 183.2 x 80.3 cm (72 1/8 x 31 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2017.101
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

Desires are mentally deposited into the mouth of Aizen's lion so that they can be consumed.

Description

Aizen Myōō is the Wisdom King of Passion. He is one of the Five Great Wisdom Kings who protect the Five Wisdom Buddhas. Each of these Buddhas represents one of the five types of wisdom characterizing a mind purified of disturbing emotions, such as desire, fear, and anger. Aizen’s body is red, and he has six arms. He has a flaming mandorla, or body halo, and sits upon a lotus supported by a vase from which flaming, wish-fulfilling jewels flow freely.
An ink and color on silk painting depicts Aizen Myōō, a deity with red skin and six arms. Centered in this vertical composition, he sits cross-legged on a pink lotus within a dark-red circular aura. His wide eyes look forward while his hands hold ritual objects, including a gold bell. The lotus rests on a gold vase decorated with dragons. Smaller lotuses with flaming objects occupy the bottom corners.

Aizen Myōō

1300s

Japan, Kamakura period (1185–1333) to Nanbokuchō period (1336–92)

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