A breathtaking rare image of the protective deity Daizuigu Bosatsu (sk Mahā-pratisarā ) dating from the Edo period in vivid color on gilded silk. Seated at the heart of a radiant mandala, Mahā-pratisarā—revered as the Great Protectress—radiates calm authority and divine compassion. Adorned in celestial robes and crowned with wisdom, she is depicted with multiple arms, each bearing ritual implements or forming symbolic gestures that promise refuge, healing, and spiritual fulfillment. Her serene expression and centered posture evoke a stillness beyond time, while the surrounding halo of flame suggests the transformative power of the sacred. Woven from gold, vermilion, and quiet resolve, this image captures the bodhisattva’s role as a guardian of devotees and a vessel of deep esoteric power. Serenity pervades the scene. Gold veins the silk background in small, delicate square of “Haku”. Nearly invisible restorations to worm holes in the silk attest to the age, and the care given in the restoration it has undergone. It is mounted in green silk threaded with golden flowers, extended in a patterned bronze color with etched brass hardware and rollers typical of Buddhist imagery. The scroll is 62 x 209 cm (24-1/2 x 82-1/2 inches) and is in overall excellent condition, remounted in a style reflecting the original and comes in an age darkened wooden box titled Daizuigu Bosatsu Sonzo.
Mahā-pratisarā is a powerful bodhisattva venerated in both Mahayana and Esoteric (Vajrayana) Buddhist traditions, especially known as a protectress and granter of wishes. Her name, derived from Sanskrit, means “Great Refuge” or “Great Protection,” and she is invoked for her ability to dispel misfortune, safeguard against calamity, and ensure the fulfillment of sincere desires.
Often depicted as a serene yet regal figure adorned with rich jewelry and divine attributes, Mahā-pratisarā typically holds a variety of implements—including the lotus, vajra, and scripture scroll—symbolizing purity, wisdom, and the protective power of dharma. She is considered the spiritual embodiment of the great Dhāraṇī-sūtra (mantric scripture), and her iconography is deeply connected with esoteric rituals aimed at protection, purification, and prosperity.
In Japanese Buddhism, she is revered as Daizuigu Bosatsu and is associated with the practice of the Zuigu Dharani, a powerful incantation believed to bring healing and divine aid. Though less well known than more prominent bodhisattvas like Kannon (Avalokiteśvara) or Monju (Mañjuśrī), Mahā-pratisarā’s role as a guardian and wish-fulfiller makes her a treasured presence in temple iconography and ritual practice.
