SHITENNO RYUZO (STANDING STATUES OF FOUR HEAVENLY KINGS)

Comments
In Buddhism, Shitenno consists of Jikokuten (Guardian of the East), Zochoten (Guardian of the South), Komokuten (Guardian of the West), and Tamonten (Guardian of the North). Every statue of Shitenno of Daianji Temple is combined with its pedestal, and was made of a single piece of wood. They were created toward the end of the Tenpyo period, but seem to have been repaired substantially later. They have the same characteristics as statues of Kannon Bodhisattva made in the Tenpyo period. Every statue is standing on a rock. But it looks like a mountain mass rather than the rock, so it may have been made in the shape of Shumisen (Mt. Sumeru, the highest mountain rising in the center of the world in Buddhism). Therefore these statues are thought to have been created by a sculptor who knows well about steep mountains in China.
NameSHITENNO RYUZO (STANDING STATUES OF FOUR HEAVENLY KINGS)
RomaniseShitenno-Ryuzo シテンノウ・リュウゾウ
PeriodTenpyo-Period
Cultural Property-
Creator-
Materials-
ContentsFour Heavenly Kings
Style-
Size-
PositionGuardian Deities
PlaceDaianji, Nara City, Japan
ReligionKoyasan Singon School
RepositorySango-Do

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