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DiaporamaThe Fury of Monk Raigō
1900
108.0 x 79.0 cm
Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847 – 1915)
Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) vividly captured Meiji Japan's transformation through striking woodblock prints & illustrations, pioneering 'kōsen-ga' light effects.
Kobayashi Kiyochika’s painting captures the intensity and drama of the quasi-historical incident of Monk Raigō (1002–1084) flying into a rage during a goma-e, or esoteric Buddhist fire ritual. Raigō was furious that Emperor Shirakawa backed out of a promise to allow the monk’s temple to conduct ordination ceremonies after the monk had performed magical rituals to ensure the safe birth of a royal heir. Fudō Myōō (Sanskrit: Acala), the Buddhist protective deity at the center of this fire ritual, here seems to arise from the flames. Usually Fudō Myōō, the “Immovable Wisdom King,” is shown with a fearsome visage (as in the statue on display nearby), yet Kiyochika playfully gives the statue an expression of surprised horror at the monk’s temper tantrum.
About this artwork
- Title: The Fury of Monk Raigō
- Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika
- Year: 1900
- Original dimensions: 108.0 x 79.0 cm
- Format: Portrait
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Color palette: Earthy
- Main color: Gray
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