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User / DameBoudicca / Bishamonten
Rebecca Bugge / 5,719 items
ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved
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Painted wooden sculpture from the 9th century, in the Heian period, of Bishamonten - the Japanese version of Vaiśravaṇa, one of the four heavenly kings in Buddhism (Shitennō - 四天王). In Japan he is viewed as the leader of the heavenly kings, a warrior god dressed in armour - in folklore he is viewed as one of the seven gods of fortune (Shichi Fukujin - 七福神). He is usually depicted wit a pagoda in one hand (you can see it in the left, raised, one) and a spear. There is no spear here, but I think that would explain the strange angle of the right hand and that the spear has been lost.

(Detail shot: www.flickr.com/photos/dameboudicca/16873241631/ )
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Dates
  • Taken: Oct 17, 2013
  • Uploaded: Mar 13, 2015
  • Updated: Jun 21, 2023