Tamon-ten, Guardian of the North, one of a set of four Shitenno (Guardian Figures)

Object Details

• Label

  Tamon-ten (Vaisravana), Guardian of the North, is one of a set of four Shitenno (guardian figures). (See also F1974.20. F1976.12, and F1977.19) These images are the guardians of the four directions, and would have been placed within a temple sanctuary protecting one or more centralized Buddhist images. They were created and positioned to be viewed frontally as a logical and dynamic composition. Tamon-ten (north) holds a miniature stupa in one hand and a spear in the other. Each figure stands on a writhing demon, symbolizing dominance over any enemies of Buddhism.

  Based on varied devotional settings, the four guardian figures hav been produced in many sizes, from more than double the size of a human, to the diminutive forms seen here, to even smaller. These lithe, animated figures are excellent examples of a hyperrealistic style that came to prominence in Japanese Buddhist sculpture in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Historical Buddha and Friends (November 3, 2018 to May 5, 2019)

  In the Shadow of an Apocalypse (October 14, 2017 to October 28, 2018)

  Religious Art of Japan (December 18, 2002 to January 4, 2015)

  Japanese Art (March 12, 1982 to November 3, 1986)

  Japanese Art (June 16, 1982 to September 28, 1982)

  Japanese Art (July 14, 1980 to March 6, 1981)

  A Decade of Discovery: Selected Acquisitions 1970-1980 (November 9, 1979 to May 22, 1980)

  Japanese Art (April 11, 1978 to March 6, 1981)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1300s

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Trishula, Kamakura period (1185 - 1333), Art, Inlay (process), Wood, Tamon-ten, Japanese Art, Stupa

• Culture

  Buddhists, Japanese

• Object Type

  Sculpture