Lot 3063
  • 3063

A GILT-BRONZE FOUR DIRECTIONAL KARMA VAJRA, KATSUMA JAPAN, EARLY HEIAN PERIOD |

Estimate
400,000 - 600,000 HKD
bidding is closed

Description

  • bronze, metal, glass
  • 10.5 cm, 4 1/8  in.
the flattened thunderbolt cast with four spear-form prongs radiating from a central rosette with lotus lappets

Provenance

Shobei Ito Collection.

Catalogue Note

The Buddhism first entered Japan in its vajrayana (Tantric) form after the Esoteric priest Kukai (774-835) returned from his exploratory mission to China and founded the Shingo sect of Buddhism during the early Heian period, establishing its main centre on the Mount Koya in Wakayama. Being the main symbol of this Tantric Buddhism, the vajra always held a particular status in the Japanese Esoteric Buddhist tradition (Mikkyō). Destroying resentment and repelling the evil, the vajra comes in several versions with different number of prongs, each having its specific symbolic and meanings. It can come in two or four limbs form as in the present example, either in a peaceful rendition when prongs are joined at their tip or in wrathful stage when those are left open. A similar Katsuma vajra, but dated to the Kamakura period, 13th century, is in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum. For a Muromashi period, 15th century, version see a Katsuma Vajra preserved in the Nara National Museum, illustrated in http://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/collection/1380-1.html.