Jaki Demons Shore Up Large Bronze Flower Vase for 1873 Vienna World Exposition 頼光大江山入図大花瓶

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

They're jaki demons—demon-like creatures from Japanese folklore. If you've visited Japan and seen the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist temples, you've probably looked right at them without realizing it; these lesser demons are almost always depicted being trampled under the Kings' feet. Personally, I like them much more than the Buddhas, kings, or deities.

They're part of a large bronze flower vase housed at the Tokyo National Museum. The vase was crafted in 1872 by Takashige Yokoyama and his son, Yazaemon Yokoyama, for the 1873 Vienna World Exposition. Supporting the base, these demons shore up the weight of the entire 1.3-meter-high masterpiece.

If you ever get the chance to visit Japan and see the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, don't forget to look down at these poor jaki demons. Just like neglected or abused children can grow up to become violent, maybe the same is true for these little demons! 😆

Jaki demons 邪鬼

They are also called "akki" 悪鬼

Bronze flower vase for 1873 Vienna World Exposition 頼光大江山入図大花瓶

Posted on 6/25/2020

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頼光大江山入図大花瓶です。横山孝茂・弥左衛門父子によるもので、1873年のウィーン万博に出品されました。大きいけど精巧。日本工芸の素晴らしさを余すところなく体現しています。

ただ、私の眼は、花瓶ではなく、その一番下で踏みつけにされている「邪鬼（悪鬼）」たちにくぎ付け。なぜか、四天王を見るとき、踏みつけられているこの小鬼たちにいつも目が行ってしまいます。だって可愛くありませんか！

そして思ってしまうのです。いじめられたからひねくれて邪鬼になってしまったのではないかと｡｡｡

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