Fugen Enmei Bosatsu (Samantabhadra)
1743
Invoked in the rite for longevity, this type of Fugen Enmei bosatsu (bodhisattva) has twenty arms, each holding a Buddhist ritual implement, including a vajra (pronged ritual object), a bell, and jewels. The deity’s power is also manifested by the four six-tusked white elephants he rides. On the head of each elephant stands one of the four directional guardians. The elephants stand on a large wheel representing Buddhist law, which is supported by thousands of smaller elephants.
Color and gold on silk
36 x 16 7/8 in. (91.5 x 42.8 cm)
Overall h.: 71 1/16 in.
Overall w.: 24 1/8 in.
Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection
69.17