Shitennō (Jikokuten, Zochoten, Tamonten, Komokuten)

Akira Yamaguchi Japanese

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 226

Akira Yamaguchi’s recent work reimagines a group of protective deities, whose images are displayed at many Buddhist temples in Japan. Each of the Four Heavenly Kings (Jikokuten, Zōchōten, Tamonten, Kōmokuten) stands guard over one of the four cardinal directions in order to block negative cosmic energies that cause people to suffer.

On view for rotations 3 and 4.

Shitennō (Jikokuten, Zochoten, Tamonten, Komokuten), Akira Yamaguchi (Japanese, born Tokyo, 1969), Oil, watercolor, and ink on canvas, mounted on wood panel; installed on standing wooden frames

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"Jikokuten" © YAMAGUCHI Akira, Courtesy of Mizuma Art Gallery. Photography by Keizo Kioku.

Shitennō (Jikokuten, Zochoten, Tamonten, Komokuten), Akira Yamaguchi (Japanese, born Tokyo, 1969), Oil, watercolor, and ink on canvas, mounted on wood panel; installed on standing wooden frames
Shitennō (Jikokuten, Zochoten, Tamonten, Komokuten), Akira Yamaguchi (Japanese, born Tokyo, 1969), Oil, watercolor, and ink on canvas, mounted on wood panel; installed on standing wooden frames
Shitennō (Jikokuten, Zochoten, Tamonten, Komokuten), Akira Yamaguchi (Japanese, born Tokyo, 1969), Oil, watercolor, and ink on canvas, mounted on wood panel; installed on standing wooden frames
Shitennō (Jikokuten, Zochoten, Tamonten, Komokuten), Akira Yamaguchi (Japanese, born Tokyo, 1969), Oil, watercolor, and ink on canvas, mounted on wood panel; installed on standing wooden frames

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