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Handbook on
Viewing Buddhist Statues
A totally wonderful
book by Ishii Ayako.
Some images
at this site were
scanned from this
book; Japanese
language only;
192 pages;
80+ color photos
Click here to
buy book at Amazon
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SHITENNŌ = Lit. Four Heavenly Kings. Guardians of the Four Compass Directions,
Four Celestial Guardians, Four Deva Warriors, Four Lords of Dharma (Buddhist Law),
Four Keepers of the World (Gose Shitennō), Members of the Tenbu (Skt. = Deva)
ORIGIN: Hindu deities incorporated into Buddhism
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Japanese
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Chinese
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Sanskrit
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Korean
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Tibetan
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四天王
Shitennō
護世四天王
Gose Shitennō
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四天王
Sì Tiān Wáng,
Ssu-T'ien Wang
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Maharāja; Catur-mahā
-rājakāyikāḥ, Loka-pālatva,
Lokala, Lokapala,
Caturmaharaja
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사천왕,
Sa Cheon Wang,
Sa Ch'ŏn Wang
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Jjig-rtenskyong,
Jig rten skyong ba nyid
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OVERVIEW: Buddhist protectors of the four directions. They ward off evil and protect the world from malicious spirits, hence the name Gose Shitennō 護世四天王, literally “four world-protecting deva kings.” Each represents a direction, season, color, virtue, and element. They originated in India as deva generals protecting Lord Indra, but were later adopted into the Buddhist pantheon in China and Japan. Each dwells in and protects one of the four continents surrounding Mt. Shumisen 須弥山 (Skt. = Mt. Sumeru), the home of the Historical Buddha and other Buddhist deities. In China and Japan, they are venerated as temple guardians. In China, statues of the four are often placed near temple entrances, but in Japan, effigies of the four are more commonly placed around the central deity on the main altar. The four are commanded by Taishakuten (Skt. Indra), Lord of the Center. They are nearly always dressed in armor (yoroi 鎧), looking ferocious (funnusō 忿怒相), and carrying weapons or objects (jimotsu 持物) said to eliminate evil influences and suppress the enemies of Buddhism. They are also typically shown standing atop evil spirits (known as Jaki in Japan), symbolizing their power to repel and defeat evil. Sometimes they are depicted with a fiery halo behind them. Their attributes, however, are not rigidly prescribed and thus differ among Buddhist nations. Shitennō iconography is related to the Four Celestial Emblems (dragon, red bird, tiger, turtle) of China, who also guard the four cardinal directions.
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SHITENNŌ 四天王 = Four Heavenly Kings
Guardians of the Four Compass Directions
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Jikokuten 持國天 (Japanese)
East, Spring, Water, Strength, Blue (White in India/China).
Rules over the Gandharvas & Piśācas.
Skt = Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Dhrtarasta, Dhritarashtra
C = Chíguó Tiān, Ch'ih-kuo T'ien
K = 지국천, Jiguk cheon, Chiguk ch'ŏn
Vietnam = Trì quốc thiên
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Jikokuten
King of the East, Guardian of the Nation.
Keeper of the Kingdom.
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Zōchōten 增長天 (Japanese)
South, Summer, Fire, Prosperity, Red (Blue in India/China).
Rules over the Kumbhāṇḍa 鳩槃荼.
Skt = Virūḍhaka, Virudhaka
C = Zēngcháng Tiān, Tseng-ch'ang T'ien
K = 증장천, Jeungjang Cheon, Chŭngjang Ch'ŏn
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Zōchōten, Zouchoten, Zochoten
King of the South, Lord of Spiritual Growth.
One Who Expands Wisdom & Moderation.
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Kōmokuten 廣目天 (Japanese)
Lord of Limitless Vision (has third “all-seeing” eye).
West, Fall, Metal, Awareness, White (Red in India/China).
Rules over the Nāga 龍 and Pūtana 富單那.
Skt = Virūpākṣa, Virupaksa, Virupaksha
C = Guǎngmùtiān, Kuang-mu-t'ien
K = 광목천, Gwangmokcheon, Kwangmokch'ŏn
Vietnam = Quảng mục thiên
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Kōmokuten, Koumokuten, Komokuten
King of the West, Sees through evil.
Discerns / punishes badness.
Encourages aspirations for enlightenment.
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Tamonten 多聞天 (Japanese)
North, Winter, Earth, Wealth, Black (Yellow in India/China).
Rules over the Yakṣas 夜叉 and Rākṣasas.
Skt = Vaiśravaṇa, Vaisravana, Vaishravana, Dhanada
C = Duōwén Tiān, Tuo-wen T'ien
K = 다문천, Damun Cheon, Tamun Ch'ŏn
Vietnam = Đa văn thiên
Manifestation of Kuvera (Hindu God of Wealth)
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Tamonten (aka Bishamonten)
King of the North. All-Knowing.
Hears all, always listening.
One of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods.
Well-versed in Buddha’s teachings.
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Taishakuten 帝釈天 (Japanese)
Lord of the Center.
Commands the Shitennō.
Skt. = Indra
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Taishakuten or Taishaku
Lord of the Heaven of 33 Gods
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Shitennōten 四天王天 (Japanese)
Lit. = Four Heavens of Four Kings
Skt = Catur-maharāja-kāyikas
C = Sì tiānwáng tiān, Ssu t'ien-wang-t'ien
K = 사천왕천, Sa cheonwang cheon, Sa ch'ŏnwang ch'ŏn
V = Tứ thiên vương thiên
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Says the Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (sign in with user name “guest): “The four are said to have appeared to 不空 Amogha in a temple in Xianfu (China), sometime between 742-6 AD, and in consequence he introduced their worship to China as guardians of the monasteries, where their images are seen in the hall at the entrance, which is sometimes called the 天王堂 (Hall of the Deva Kings). See 四天王經 or 倶舍論 T 1559.29.198a29; other sources Muller, Soothill, Hirakawa.
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Historical Notes
Guardians of the Four Directions, Protectors of Buddhist Law, Protectors of Human Kind, Protectors of the Bosatsu and Nyorai. Most often found standing at the corners of alters. Ferocious looking, sometimes with fiery halo behind them, often stepping on demons called Jyaki. They protect the Buddhist realm for Taishakuten (Skt. Indra), serving as his generals to guard the territories inhabited by humans. Originally from Hindu mythology, and later incorporated into Buddhism. In the Lotus Sutra, they vow to protect those who believe in the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). In Japanese artwork, especially in the mandala form, the four typically appear in a set order, starting with Jikokuten (East), followed by Zōchōten (South), Kōmokuten (West), and Tamonten (North). All four are described in Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese texts, but their attributes, colors, and names often vary.
Four Heavenly Kings, the Shitennō
At Hase Dera in Kamakura (life-size metal statues, modern)
From Left: Tamonten, Jikokuten, Kōmokuten, Zōchōten
Dressed in armor & trampling the Jaki (or Tentōki / Ryūtōki)
All four are depicted as warriors, and usually shown holding weapons, but there is no “hard” rule for the objects in their hands, and variations are common. Nevertheless, the objects they carry are always tools to eliminate evil influences and suppress the enemies of Buddhism. All four are Deva (Sanskrit), celestial beings who occupy the realm just above humans and just below the enlightened Bodhisattva. See Six Realms for details.
The Shitennō live halfway down the four sides of Mt. Shumisen 須弥山 (Skt. = Mt. Sumeru or Mt. Meru), the mythical home of Shakya Nyorai (Historical Buddha). According to Buddhist lore, Mt. Sumeru is located at the center of the universe, surrounded by eight mountain ranges, and in the ocean between the 7th and 8th there are four continents inhabited by humans. These four continents are protected by the Shitennō, with each leading an army of supernatural creatures to keep the fighting Ashura at bay. On the top of Mt. Sumeru is the heavenly palace of Shakya Nyorai, and the abode of the Trayastrimsha (33 Gods) ruled by Taishakuten, who commands the Shitennō.
Shitennō symbolism and artwork in Japan reflects not only its Hindu origins, but also its association with the four mythical Chinese creatures -- the dragon, red bird, tiger, and tortoise. These four creatures, known as the Celestial Emblems of the Chinese Emperor, are also guardians of the four compass directions, and appear prominently in artwork in China. Each has a corresponding season, color, element, and virtue -- so do each of the Shitennō. But in Japan, the four Chinese creatures are mostly supplanted by their Buddhist equivalents, the Shitennō. (Note: In Japan, there are statues of various followers of the Shitennō referred to as the Shitennō Kenzoku 四天王眷属.
Jaki or Jyaki 邪鬼 or Amano Jyaku 天邪鬼
Tentōki 天燈鬼 and Ryūtōki 龍燈鬼
Jaki is the name of the tiny creatures the four kings stand upon. Classified as members of the Yaksha in Japan; also referred to as the Amano Jyaku (Heaven Jyaku). In a tradition unique to Japan, the Jaki demons are sometimes represented by two creatures known as Tentōki (Tentoki) 天燈鬼 and Ryūtōki (Ryutoki) 龍燈鬼, which translate literally as Celestial-Lamp Demon and Dragon-Lamp Demon. Japanese legends say these two creatures were originally evil, but after getting trampled by the Shitennō, they repented, were saved, and now carry lanterns as offerings of light to the Buddha, or to light up the road in front of the Shaka Nyorai (Historical Buddha). The Jaki and Tentōki / Ryūtoki symbolize the power of the Shitennō to repel and defeat evil. Two wonderful sculptures of Tentōki and Ryutōki can be found at Kōfukuji Temple in Nara (see photos presented below).
Jyaki from 7th century, at Hōryū-ji Temple Temple 法隆寺, Nara
Scanned from temple brochure
Jyaki under the feet of Zōchōten
Hōryū-ji Temple 法隆寺, Nara, 7th Century
Jaki (Jyaki) at Hase Dera in Kamakura (click images to enlarge)
See more photos of the Jaki demons in Below Photo Tour..
Ryūtōki Ryūzō 竜燈鬼立像, Two Jaki 邪鬼 demons carrying lanterns.
L: Ryutoki (Ryūtōki 龍燈鬼), H = 77.8 cm R: Tentoki (Tentōki 天燈鬼), H = 78.2 cm
Dated +1215, carved by Kōben. Wood with pigments. Kōfukuji Temple 興福寺 in Nara.
Inset crystal eyes (gyokugan 玉眼), Jointed-Block Technique (寄木造), Japanese Cypress.
PHOTOS FROM CHINA (2008, Longmen, Beijing)
Click any image for larger photo and details.
Four Shitenno, Horyuji (Hōryūji) Temple 法隆寺, Nara
Mid-7th Century. Oldest extant set of the four.
Kōmokuten 広目天, Zōchōten 増長天, Tamonten 多門天, Jikokuten 持国天
Painted Wood, Each Statue Approx. 133.5 cm in Height
Photos from Comprehensive Dictionary of Japan's Nat’l Treasures
国宝大事典 (西川 杏太郎. ISBN 4-06-187822-0.
LEARN MORE
Above four photos courtesy of daiwagroup.com/fengshui/
- Buddhist-Artwork.com, our sister estore, offers statues of the Shitennō.
- Shitennō, Four Heavenly Kings. Four Deva Kings. Guardians of East, West, North, South (the four cardinal directions). The Shitennō are also associated with four legendary creatures of Chinese mythology (dragon, red bird, tiger, turtle). See Shijin (Four Celestial Emblems) for more on these four creatures.
- In the Japanese Mandala, the Shitennō (Guardians of the Four Directions) are typically shown, from the top, starting with the eastern guardian. Thus, the typical order is Jikokuten (East), Zōchōten (South), Kōmokuten (West), and Tamonten (North).
- 28 Constellations, 28 Moon Lodges, 28 Moon Stations (this site)
Learn more about each of the four quarters (north, south, east, west) and the seven constellations in each group. All 28 represent points in the moon’s monthly path, and each was deified.
- Butsuzō-zu-i 仏像図彙, the “Collected Illustrations of Buddhist Images.” Published in 1783 (Genroku 元禄 3). Modern-day reprints are available at this online store (J-site).
- Mandara Zuten 曼荼羅図典 (Japanese Edition). The Mandala Dictionary. 422 pages. First published in 1993. Publisher Daihorinkaku 大法輪閣. Language Japanese. ISBN-10: 480461102-9. Available at Amazon.
- JAANUS. Japanese Architecture & Art Net Users System. Compiled by the late Dr. Mary Neighbour Parent; covers both Buddhist and Shintō deities in great detail and contains over 8,000 entries.
- A Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms. With Sanskrit & English Equivalents. Plus Sanskrit-Pali Index. By William Edward Soothill & Lewis Hodous. Hardcover, 530 pages. Published by Munshirm Manoharlal. Reprinted March 31, 2005. ISBN 8121511453.
- Digital Dictionary of Chinese Buddhism (C. Muller; login "guest")
- Buddhism: Flammarion Iconographic Guides, by Louis Frederic, Printed in France, ISBN 2-08013-558-9, First published 1995.
- 4 Heavenly Kings, Great Mandala Study Group (outside link)
- Four Heavenly Kings, Nichiren Tradition (outside link). “They appear in the ceremony of the Lotus Sutra with their 10,000 retainer gods in the Dharani (26th chapter). Therein, Jikokuten and Bishamonten pledge on behalf of all four to protect those who embrace the Lotus Sutra.
- Four Heavenly Kings (J-site, outside link), plus Sanskrit characters used herein.
- See Bibliography for our complete list of resources on Japanese Buddhism
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