Bishamonten
The Buddha's teachings entered Japan beginning in the sixth century C.E. This sculpture of Bishamonten was made during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), which was a golden age of Buddhist culture. As the guardian deity, or king of the north, Bishamonten functions in a similar way to the Dharmapala figures in Nepal and Tibet. He is usually shown holding a Stupa, symbol of the Buddhist faith, and a lance, which is missing here.
As the chief of the deities who stand guard at the four cardinal directions of the universe, Bishamonten, dressed in armor, is also considered the protector of warriors and the state. The flaming halo above his head corresponds to the ring of fire found in Himalayan Dharmapala deities. Energized by swirling draperies and a fiery demeanor, this representation of Bishamonten comes alive as a powerful force for both protection and transformation.
Here, Bishamonten vanquishes a wooden demon, Tentoki, who lies prostrated face down. He bears crystal eyes, painted brown and black, a red mouth, white teeth, and a black tongue. The demons clothing is traditional of the late Kamakura period. Long flowing hair, curved almost horn-like in shape, extends from his head, which is crushed on his own hand atop a rock by deity’s powerful foot.
Bishamonten wears wooden shoes and a wooden depiction of his voluminous pants. The cloth for these pants portrays a paisley floral design at their base. The wooden back of the deity is mostly plain, although, a red leafy design adorns the base of Bishamonten's cloak. He wears a flowing kimono enveloped by golden metal armor. The same design that is on the base of the pants is on the belt of the kimono.
A demon face with an open-fanged mouth ornaments the armor below the waist. A long cloth drapes from the stomach over the thighs, below which is the base armor, which is covered with a hexagonal design. Additionally, there is a central golden ring that rests on the deity's diaphragm, to which three ropes are tied. One rope leads upward to wooden shoulder pads and a collar while the other two rap around the back. Grinning demons serve as bands on both upper arms. From these bands, descends a wavy cloth with painted wooden protuberances.
Bishamonten's hair is tied atop his head with a hairpin.
A fiery metal crown and halo surround the head. From the crown, descend
snake-like extensions over the ears and out over the shoulders. Bishamonten
has a scowling brow, a large flat nose, a red frown, and the same crystal
eyes as those of the defeated demon. The lower part of his kimono,
underneath the armor, still retains much of its original designs and paint.