Blade and Mounting for a Double-Edged Dagger (Ken) blade, late 12th–early 13th century; mounting, 14th century Japanese The symbolic significance of the triple-pronged vajra, as well as its shape, made it an appropriate choice for use as the hilt of a sacred sword (ken), as demonstrated by this extremely rare example of an Esoteric Buddhist ritual object in the form of a ken. The blade dates from the late Heian or early Kamakura period (late twelfth to early thirteenth century), and the gilt-copper vajra hilt was probably made in the early Nambokuch? period (mid-fourteenth century). In Buddhis

Blade and Mounting for a Double-Edged Dagger (Ken) blade, late 12th–early 13th century; mounting, 14th century Japanese The symbolic significance of the triple-pronged vajra, as well as its shape, made it an appropriate choice for use as the hilt of a sacred sword (ken), as demonstrated by this extremely rare example of an Esoteric Buddhist ritual object in the form of a ken. The blade dates from the late Heian or early Kamakura period (late twelfth to early thirteenth century), and the gilt-copper vajra hilt was probably made in the early Nambokuch? period (mid-fourteenth century). In Buddhist iconography the sword represents the defense of religious doctrine and the defeat of falsehood and evil. It is an emblem of intelligence and, by extension, of the victory of spiritual knowledge, which opens the path to enlightenment. Combined with a vajra hilt it signifies the sword of wisdom (e-ken), one of the major attributes of Fud? My?-?, also referred to as the Great Immovable One. Fud? was the most popular of the Five Great Kings of Light (Go Dai My?-?), deities of Hindu origin who were assimilated into the Japanese Buddhist pantheon in the ninth the Shingon school of Esoteric Buddhism, Fud? is a manifestation of the Supreme Buddha (Dainichi Nyorai), created to fight evil and champion righteous causes. He is also considered to be the first of the twelve buddhas who receive the souls of the dead and guide them to the eternal care of Dainichi Nyorai. It is possible, therefore, that this ken was made for use in a Shingon ritual devoted to Fud?. Images of Fud? frequently appear in the decoration of Japanese armor and weapons. He is usually shown surrounded by flames, holding the sword, point upward, in his right hand, and the rope (kensaku, with which he binds and nullifies evil, in his left Blade and Mounting for a Double-Edged Dagger (Ken). Japanese. blade, late 12th–early 13th century; mounting, 14th century. Steel, wood, copper, gold. Daggers

How we Work

Contribute

Legal

Contact Us