The Art Institute of Chicago houses a sculpture that embodies Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Born from an influence of Chinese esoteric Buddhism and the Indian god Shiva, the deity Fudo Myo-o, or "He who does not move", is one of the most important figures in Japanese Buddhism. The deity first appears during the Heian period in the 9th century and is designed to help followers of Buddhism in the face of any adversity encountered. During the Kamakura period, from the 12th to 14th centuries, the figure of this guardian king developed into a more realistic sculptural form. Fudo Myo-o is unique to Shingon Buddhism of Japan with qualities that set him apart from most other deities, qualities that embody his vicious compassion, wisdom, and anger. At just 16 3/8 inches, the Fudo Myo-o at the Art Institute of Chicago isn't the first object from the Japanese collection to catch your eye. Yet when you pass by it, it will stop you in your tracks. Fudo Myo-o is unlike anything you've ever seen. His bulging eyes lock onto yours, a gaze so vicious you can’t tear yourself away from it. His piercing gaze attracts you and his position seems to invite you to go out. His furrowed brow and protruding fangs created a facial expression so intense that it almost looked like he was trying to tell you something. His arms seem to have, at some point, held something and they are open as if welcoming you and offering you some sort of promise. Fudo sits on a rectangular foundation, giving the impression that it is some sort of deity or god-like figure. Fudo Myo-o has cloth draped over his left shoulder and wears sumptuous jewelry reminiscent of a bodhisattva. His jewelry also suggests to the viewer that he must have a certain level of nobility. It also has a shell l...... middle of paper ......icago. The Art Institute of Chicago, 2011. Web. October 12, 2011. Cunningham, Michael. “Fierce Salvation: Comments on a Recently Acquired Japanese Sculpture.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art80.4 (1993): 140-43. Jstor. October 12, 2011 Mack, Karen. “The Phenomenon of Summoning Fudo for the Rebirth of the Pure Land in Image and Text.” Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 33.2 (2006): 297-317. Jstor. October 12, 2011.Mason, Penelope. History of Japanese art. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004. Print. October 12, 2011 Miyake, Hitoshi. “Religious Rituals in Shugendo: A Summary.” » Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 16 (1989): 101-16. Jstor. October 12, 2011. Okada, Barbra Teri and Kanya Tsujimoto. “The Fudo Myo-o from the Packard collection: a study during restoration.” Metropolitan Museum Journal 14 (1979): 51-66. Jstor. October 12 2011