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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
Sanskrit Characters
Courtesy of:
www.tctv.ne.jp/
tobifudo/butuzo/
hotoke/hotokes.html
(Japanese site)
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SHITENNO
Sanskrit = Lokala, Lokapala, Caturmaharaja
Four Deva Kings, Four Heavenly Kings
Guardians of the Dharma
Guardians of the Four Compass Directions
Jikokuten (East), Zouchoten (South)
Koumokuten (West), Tamonten (North)
Governed by Taishakuten, Lord of the Center
ORIGIN: Hindu Deities incorporated into Buddhism
Members of the TENBU and the DEVA
Four Heavenly Kings, the Shitenno
At Hase Dera in Kamakura (life-size metal statues, modern)
From Left: Tamonten, Jikokuten, Koumokuten, Zouchoten
Dressed in armor and trampling the Jyaki (or Tentouki/Ryuutoki)
Shitenno also called the "Four Celestial Guardians."
Their iconography seems closely associated with the four
celestial emblems (animals) of the Chinese emperor.
See Shijin for more on these four creatures.
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, god of the center), 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 East (Jikokuten), followed by Zouchoten (South), Komokuten (West), and Tamonten (North). All four are described in Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese texts, but their attributes, colors, and sometimes their names, often vary.
All four are depicted as warriors, and usually depicted 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 Shitenno live halfway down the four sides of Mt. Shumisen (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 Shitenno, 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.
Shitenno 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 considered the 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 Shitenno. But in Japan, the four Chinese creatures are mostly supplanted by their Buddhist equivalents, the Shitenno.
Note: In Japan, there are statues of various followers of the Shitenno. These statues of the followers are referred to as the Shitenno Kenzoku. In Tibet, the guardians of the four directions are known as "Jjig-rtenskyong" and in Chinese as the "T'ien-wang."
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Click any link below
to jump to that deity's page
Taishakuten or Taishaku
Sanskrit = Indra
The Lord of the Center
Commands the Shitenno
Lord of the Heaven of 33 Gods
Jikokuten
Skt = Dhrtarasta, Dhritarashtra
East, Spring, Green/Blue, Water
"Guardian of the Nation" or "Kingdom Keeper"
Zouchoten or Zochoten
Sanskrit = Virudhaka
South, Summer, Red, Fire
"One who Expands, One who Enlarges"
wisdom and increases moderation
Koumokuten or Komokuten
Sanskrit = Virupaksa, Virupaksha
West, Fall, White, Metal
"Wide Eyed," for he sees through evil,
discerns and punishes evil, and
encourages aspirations for enlightenment
Tamonten
Skt = Vaisravana, Vaishravana
North, Winter, Black, Earth
"Renowned, Well-Known One"
Also called Bishamonten, one of Japan's Seven Lucky Deities.
One who is all knowing, One who hears everything in the kingdom
One who is always listening; completely versed in Buddha's teachings
The most popular and widely known of the four in Japan
Jyaki or Amano Jyaku
Jyaki 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 Japan. In a tradition unique to Japan, the Jyaki demons are sometimes represented as the Tentouki (Tentoki) and Ryuutoki (Ryutoki) creatures, apparently in reference to a Japanese legend that says these creatures were originally evil, but after getting trampled by the Shitenno, 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. In general, both the Jyaki and Tentouki/Ryuutoki represent the power of the Shitenno to repel and defeat evil. Two beautiful sculptures of Tentoki and Ryutoki can be found at Kofukuji in Nara -- both sculptures are presented below, following the Jyaki photos.
Jyaki from 7th century, at Horyu-ji Temple, Nara
Scanned from temple brochure
Jyaki under the feet of Zouchoten
Horyu-ji Temple, Nara, 7th Century
Jyaki at Hase Dera in Kamakura (click for larger images)
 
 Tentoki
(L) Ryutoki, the Dragon Lantern Demon
(R) Tentoki, the Heavenly Lantern Demon
The two hold the lanterns as offerings to Buddha.
See Offerings of Light for details.
At Koufuku-ji in Nara (Kamakura Era, 1215 AD)
Approximately 78 centimeters in height, made of wood.
Carrying lanterns to light up the road in front of Shaka Nyorai
LEARN MORE
- The Great Mandala (Gohonzon) Study Group
www.gakkaionline.net/mandala/4Kings.html
- Wonderful Site for Textual Info on Buddhism
campross.crosswinds.net/ShuteiMandala/4kings.html
Excerpt: "They appear in the ceremony of the Lotus Sutra with their ten thousand retainer gods; in the "Dharani" (26th chapter), Bishamonten and Jikokuten pledge on behalf of all four to protect those who embrace the Lotus Sutra."
- Nara National Museum - Japanese Language Only
http://www.narahaku.go.jp/meihin/
Wonderful photos of various deities
- Kyoto National Museum
http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/meihin/mhind3e.htm
- Above Sanskrit Characters Courtesy of: (Japanese language site)
http://www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/butuzo/hotoke/hotokes.html
- Japanese Language Pages about Shitenno
www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/bonzisyo/set/4ten.html
- Diagram of Mt. Sumeru
The Buddhist Realm (Japanese language only)
www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/HandS/tango/3000sekai/3senseksai.html
- In Japanese mandala, the four Shitenno guardians are typically shown, from the top, starting with the Eastern Guardian. Thus, the typical order is Jikokuten (East), Zouchoten (South), Komokuten (West), and Tamonten (North).
- Get objects for each, page 96 in Handbook of Buddhist Forms (published by Ikedashuten, Japanese only; ISBN4-262-15695-8
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