Five-pronged ritual object (Sanskrit: vajra; Japanese: gokosho)

Images(3)

Five-pronged ritual object (Sanskrit: vajra; Japanese: gokosho)

Place of OriginJapan

Date1185-1333

PeriodKamakura period (1185-1333)

MaterialsBronze with gilding

DimensionsH. 7 1/2 in x Diam. 3 1/4 in, H. 19 cm x Diam. 8.3 cm

Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection

Object numberB60B357.a

DepartmentJapanese Art

ClassificationsMetal Arts

On View

On view

Location

Gallery Location Gallery 26

Text Entries

Object Label

Esoteric Buddhism requires many ritual implements. The vajra, or “thunderbolt,” represents the enlightened mind of a practitioner who has overcome all delusions and realizes the truth of Buddhist doctrine. The five-pronged vajra is said to represent the Five Wisdoms of the Five Cosmic Buddhas. The middle part of the central shaft of this thunderbolt is decorated with a band of oval motifs known in Japan as demon eyes (kimoku), a simplified version of an earlier motif representing a human face. In Japanese esoteric Buddhist ritual, a practitioner recites mantras and performs a sequence of symbolic hand gestures. In addition, the worshiper arranges various ritual implements, including the thunderbolt, on the altar and manipulates them during the ceremony in carefully prescribed ways.

Subject