funnusou　忿怒相

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

Also funnugyou 忿怒形, or shinnusou 瞋怒相. An angry expression found on Buddhist images. The opposite of *jihisou 慈悲相 (an expression of compassion). Funnusou figures have a threatening countenance and posture, standing with raised arms and glaring eyes, shinmoku 瞋目. They represent the anger of Buddha which conquers evil, and provides people with the force to resist temptation. *Myouou 明王 are always depicted with a fearful expression. Other funnusou images include the Four Heavenly Kings *shitennou 四天王, the Twelve Generals *juuni shinshou 十二神将、and the Two Deva Kings *Niou 仁王. Most Goddess of Mercy figures *Kannon 観音, have a calm expression, with the exception of *Batou Kannon 馬頭観音, who is shown with the funnusou and thought to have the power to eliminate evil spirits. Of the eleven tiny faces of the *Juuichimen Kannon 十一面観音, three are always angry representations.

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