DAITOKU MYO-O (-BOSATSU)
One of the heavenly kings, he is the defier of death. He carries weapons of war,including a lightning-hilted sword and a spear. His face is contorted with concentration, and he, like many of the other Myo-o, is surrounded by flames. His face and body are blue, and he may be represented with any number of faces and arms. He rides a bull or buffalo—the symbol of perseverance against resistance— and in some areas of Japan was worshiped primarily by owners of draft animals, whose patron he was. He is sometimes identified with Monju-bosatsu.
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REFERENCES:
- Joly, Henri L. 1967. Legend in Japanese Art. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Co.
SOURCE:
Handbook of Japanese Mythology written by Michael Ashkenazi – Copyright © 2003 by Michael Ashkenazi