The Shitenno, or Four Heavenly Kings, are the guardians of the four directions.  These ferocious looking gods were once Hindu deities, but are now gods who protect human kind.  They are said to live halfway down Mt. Sumeru.  Jikokuten is the guardian of the East and maintains the world, Zochoten guards the South and relieves people of their suffering, Komokuten guards the West and sees through evil, and Tamonten guards the North and listens to prayers and protects holy places.  Tamonten is also known as Bishamonten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Jikokuten is depicted carrying a sword, Zochoten carries a spear, Komokuten carries a writing brush and scroll, and Tamonten carries a treasure in his left hand and a spear in his right. If there is any paint left on the statues, Jikokuten will be green, Zochoten will be white, Komokuten will be red, and Tamonten will be blue. There is usually a fiery halo behind all of them, and the Shitenno are often depicted stepping on the Tentoki.

The Tentoki (shown left), some of the most interesting members of the Buddhist pantheon, were originally devils.  However, once the Four Heavenly Kings defeated them theybecame saved, and for the rest of their existence served to carry lanterns to light up the road in front of the Shichifukujin.

The Shichifukujin (shown right), or Seven Gods of Good Fortune, are an eclectic group of deities taken from Indian, Chinese and Japanese sources. They are an excellent example of the way Buddhism and Shinto not only live side by side in Japan, but also actually influence one another.  Two are native to Japan (Ebisu and Fukurokuju), three are from India (Daikokuten, Bishamonten, and Benzaiten), and two are Chinese (Hotei and Jurojin).
 
 

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