print; 印刷品(Chinese) BM-1919-0101-0.245

Period:Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Production date:947 (year dingwei of the Kaiyun reign)
Materials:paper, 紙 (Chinese),
Technique:woodblock, 木版 (Chinese),
Subjects:lokapala canopy stupa arms/armour deity 武器/盔甲 (Chinese) 天王 (Chinese) 隨侍 (Chinese) 華蓋 (Chinese) 塔 (Chinese) 神 (Chinese) attendant
Dimensions:Height: 40 centimetres (impression) Width: 26.50 centimetres (impression)

Description:
Woodblock print with hanging tabs
IMG


Comments:Zwalf 1985This dated print, like that of Avalokiteśvara, was made to mark Cao Yuanzhong’s accession to power in the Dunhuang area. The size of the print probably reflects the importance of Vaiśravaṇa, Guardian of the North, in China and Central Asia. China was most at risk from northern invaders, and , Vaiśravaṇa was especially associated with Khotan, for its king had once prayed for and received a son – the naked child held up by a demon – from that deity. Over a dozen copies of this print were found at Dunhuang. Vaisravana, Guardian King of the North, is shown in sumptuous armour. He holds a standard in his right hand and a stupa in his left. In the background a demon holds a naked child, portraying a Khotanese legend of a child granted by Vaisravana to a childless monarch and suckled by the earth goddess, who is seen below him, supporting his feet. Vaisravana was the patron deity of the kingdom of Khotan, whose royal family had intermarried with the Cao clan, rulers of Dunhuang from AD 924. Cao Yuanzhong, Imperial Commissioner of Dunhuang, is named in the inscription as having commissioned this print. Along the top of the print there are paper loops for hanging it.Published: Stein 1921, vol. II, 1037; Kikutatke 1975, fig. 2; Whitfield 1982-5, vol.2, fig. 153; Yu 2005, 23, pl. 9; Wu 2005, 27; Wang and Zou 2005, 33; Zhou 2005, 37.