Sankosho (Pestle with three prongs)

Gilt bronze
L 21.5, L of handle 6.3, W of prongs 7.0
China, Tang dynasty　8th century

D001294

H024094
2014/02/26

D001294
1990/11/27

D001295
1990/11/27

D001296
1990/11/27

A203590
1990/11/27

A203591
1990/11/27

A203592
1990/11/27

A203593
1990/11/27

A203594
1990/11/27

A magnificent work exquisitely crafted with its three-pronged vajra done in a large scale, this ritual implement has an unconventional form: the middle section is framed by registers of lotus petals with larger and smaller petals on either side of the chord-like bands dividing them, and the “demon eye” motif at the center of the portion that is grasped features pairs of interlocking oval shapes. It is possible that this was produced during the Tang dynasty (618–907) in China.

MIMOTO ShusakuEnglish by Mary Lewine
Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, p.339, no.133.

Accession Number	1214-0
Category	Decorative Arts
Bibliography	Kūkai : the worlds of mandalas and the transcultural origins of esoteric buddhism : special exhibition celebrating the 1,250th anniversary of priest Kūkai's birth, Nara National Museum, 2024.4, 300p. Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, 354p. Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Nara National Museum: Supplement. Nara National Museum, 1999, 108p. (Japanese)