funnusō 忿怒相

Keywords
Art History
Sculpture

Also funnugyō 忿怒形 or shinnusō 瞋怒相. An angry expression found on Buddhist images. The opposite of *jihisō 慈悲相 (an expression of compassion). Funnusō figures have a threatening countenance and posture, standing with raised arms and glaring eyes, shinmoku 瞋目. They represent the anger of Buddha which conquers evil and provides people with the force to resist temptation. *Myōō 明王 are always depicted with a fearful expression. Other funnusō images include the Four Heavenly Kings, *Shitennō 四天王, the Twelve Generals, *Jūni shinshō 十二神将、and the Two Deva Kings, *Niō 仁王. Most Goddess of Mercy figures, *Kannon 観音, have a calm expression, with the exception of *Batō Kannon 馬頭観音, who is shown with the funnusō and thought to have the power to eliminate evil spirits. Of the eleven tiny faces of the *Jūichimen Kannon 十一面観音, three are always angry representations.