Bishamonten, the Guardian of the North, 11th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Wood with polychromeexpand_more
Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundationexpand_more 2015.79.259
On View in Gallery 220expand_more
Vaiśravaṇa, or Bishamonten in Japanese, is one of the Twelve Devas, a group of Hindu gods adopted as Buddhist guardian deities charged with protecting the four cardinal directions, the four intermediate directions, and the sun, moon, heaven, and earth. As the most powerful of the 12, Vaiśravaṇa presides over the north, which was considered the most dangerous direction as it was inhabited by evil demons and ogres. Appearing here in full armor, he stands atop two such fiends who have been defeated by his might. Sculptures of Vaiśravaṇa and other guardian deities are often placed around the principal icons of worship in Buddhist temples.
Details
- Title
- Bishamonten, the Guardian of the North
- Role
- Artist
- Dimension
- 116 cm (including base)
- Accession Number
- 2015.79.259
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 554
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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