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Five-pronged ritual object (Sanskrit: vajra; Japanese: gokosho)
Five-pronged ritual object (Sanskrit: vajra; Japanese: gokosho)

Five-pronged ritual object (Sanskrit: vajra; Japanese: gokosho)

Place of OriginJapan
Date1185-1333
PeriodKamakura period (1185-1333)
MaterialsBronze with gilding
DimensionsH. 7 1/2 in x Diam. 3 1/4 in, H. 19 cm x Diam. 8.3 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60B357.a
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsMetal Arts
On View
On view
LocationGallery 26
More Information
Esoteric Buddhism requires many ritual implements. The vajra, or “thunderbolt,” represents the enlightened mind of a practitioner who has overcome all delusions and realizes the truth of Buddhist doctrine. The five-pronged vajra is said to represent the Five Wisdoms of the Five Cosmic Buddhas. The middle part of the central shaft of this thunderbolt is decorated with a band of oval motifs known in Japan as demon eyes (kimoku), a simplified version of an earlier motif representing a human face. In Japanese esoteric Buddhist ritual, a practitioner recites mantras and performs a sequence of symbolic hand gestures. In addition, the worshiper arranges various ritual implements, including the thunderbolt, on the altar and manipulates them during the ceremony in carefully prescribed ways.
Subject
  • thunderbolt
  • Buddhism