katsuma　羯磨

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

1　Sanskrit; karma. A deed, interpreted according to the Buddhist laws of cause and effect. 2　An abbreviation for katsuma kongou 羯磨金剛, katsumasho 羯磨杵, katasumarin 羯磨論, juuji katsuma 十字羯磨. An item used during an Esoteric Buddhist service mikkyou hougu 密教法具, placed on the four corners of the altar. The katsuma is usually made of gilt bronze, in the shape of a cross with three prongs on each arm, like two *sankosho 三鈷杵 (three-pronged pestles) combined in a cross shape. The twelve prongs represent twelve aspects of innen 因縁 (laws of cause and effect) related to karma. The katsuma is found as an attribute *jimotsu 持物 held by gouyuu kokuuzou bosatsu 業用虚空蔵菩薩, and figures such as *shitennou 四天王 sometimes have a halo *kouhai 光背 in the shape of the katsuma. A design based on the katsuma called katsumamon 羯磨文 is sometimes used on Buddhist utensils and robes.

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