Ninnougyou mandara　仁王経曼荼羅

KEY WORD :　art history / iconography

A variety of *besson mandara 別尊曼荼羅　based on the NINNOU GOKOKU HANNYA HARAMITTA KYOU 仁王護国般若波羅蜜多経, a translation of the NINNOUGYOU 仁王経 by Bukong (Jp: Fukuu 不空, Sk: Amoghavajra; 705-74), and the NINNOU GOKOKU HANNYA HARAMITTA KYOU DARANI NENJU GIKI 仁王護国般若波羅蜜多経陀羅尼念誦儀軌, a related ritual manual. *Fudou Myouou 不動明王 is depicted in the center surrounded by symbolic objects representing the four bodhisattvas *bosatsu 菩薩 ; Kongousatta 金剛薩た, Kongouhou 金剛宝, Kongouri 金剛利 and Kongouge 金剛牙 and the four inner offering bodhisattvas (Joy, Garland, Song and Dance); the four *myouou 明王 ; *Gouzanze Myouou 降三世明王, *Gundari Myouou 軍荼利明王, *Daiitoku Myouou 大威徳明王 and *Kongouyasha Myouou 金剛夜叉明王, are depicted in the second enclosure in the east, south, west and north respectively, while the four guardian bodhisattvas, shishou bosatsu 四摂菩薩, the guardian deities of the four directions *shitennou 四天王 ; *Taishakuten 帝釈天, Katen 火天, Fuuten 風天 and Suiten 水天, are depicted in the outer enclosure. The iconographical features of the five great myouou *godai myouou 五大明王　differ markedly from their usual depictions, with Fudou for example holding a wheel instead of a noose in his left hand. In versions of this mandara used in rites of pacification the upper quarter represents north, while in versions used in rites for increasing prosperity the upper quarter represents east. Representative of the former type is that belonging to Jinjouji 神上寺 in Yamaguchi prefecture and of the latter type those kept at Daigoji 醍醐寺 in Kyoto and Kumedadera 久米田寺 in Osaka, all of which have been designated important cultural properties.

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