Tobatsu Bishamonten

late 10th–early 11th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 223

Tobatsu Bishamonten is one of the manifestations of Bishamonten, the Guardian King of the North, who is usually included in a group of Four Guardian Kings (Shitennō), protectors of the four directions. However, in the manifestation of Tobatsu Bishamonten (as captured by this sculpture), the deity is always shown independently and typically stands on a mount supported by the female earth deity, Jiten, and two dwarf demons, Niranba and Biranba. Wearing an angry expression and dressed in the armor of a Chinese warrior, he holds in his left hand a miniature stupa, which symbolizes the Buddha’s teachings and relics; his right hand most likely held a weapon to subjugate evil and suppress the enemies of Buddhism.

Artwork Details

兜跋毘沙門天立像
Title: Tobatsu Bishamonten
Period: Heian period (794–1185)
Date: late 10th–early 11th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Zelkova wood with traces of color
Dimensions: H. 49 1/4 in. (125.1 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
Object Number: 2015.300.253a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Mount Kurama Mandala: Bishamonten Triad
, Unidentified Artist, Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk, Japan — Mount Kurama Mandala: Bishamonten Triad
Unidentified
15th–16th century

The Bodhisattva Jizō, Intan Japanese, Japanese cypress wood (hinoki) with polychrome pigments, gold paint (kindei), cut gold leaf (kirikane), and rock-crystal eyes, Japan — The Bodhisattva Jizō
Intan
1291

Female Shinto Deity, Japanese bigleaf magnolia with traces of color, Japan — Female Shinto Deity
Japan
ca. mid-11th–mid-12th century

Six of the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūni shinshō), Wood with lacquer, color, gold, and inlaid crystal eyes, Japan — Six of the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūni shinshō)
Japan
early 14th century

Male and Female Shinto Deities, Japanese cypress with traces of color, Japan — Male and Female Shinto Deities
Japan
10th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.