Standing Tobatsu Bishamonten

Standing Tobatsu Bishamonten, originally uploaded by peterjr1961.

Standing Tobatsu Bishamonten
Japan, Heian period, late 10th-early 11th century

Bishamonten (Sanskrit: Vaishravana) is the Guardian King of the North, one of the four fierce protectors of the cardinal directions (Shitenno). Originally Hindu gods known as the Lokapalas, the four were adopted into Indian Buddhist pantheon. Along with eight other fierce kings, they also comprise the twelve Devas (Juniten) of Chinese and Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. Eight of them protected the eight directions and the remaining four symbolize heaven, earth, the sun and the moon.

Bishamonten is considered the most powerful of the Guardian Kings, as his direction, the north, is associated with danger. Tobatsu Bishamonten is one of several manifestation of the deity. In this form, he is worshiped alone. He stands supported by the earth goddess Jiten (Sanskrit: Prithivi) and two dwarf-demons, Niranba and Biranba. Befitting his protective function, he has an angry countenance and wears warrior's garb fashioned along the lines of Tang-dynasty Chinese military uniforms. Five seated Buddhas, now barely visible, are painted on his tall crown. In his left hand he supports a stupa, his main identifying feature. His right hand may have held a Vajra (a weapon symbolic of a thunderbolt) to ward off evil forces. With the exception of the arms, which are attached at the shoulders, the entire statue is carved of a single block of wood.