地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Statue of Kichijoten

Vibrant color likely would have given this statue of Kichijoten an almost lifelike appearance when it was first completed, in the late Heian period (794–1185). As was typical for the Heian period, the statue appears relatively androgynous, but Kichijoten is considered a female deity. Worshippers have long prayed to her as a goddess of fertility and beauty, as well as asked her for more commonplace favors such as wealth and good fortune.

The wish-granting jewel in the left hand attests to Kichijoten’s power to grant material gain. While this ability might seem favorable to devotees, Buddhism focuses on transcending the desires of the material world. Since the ability to grant material gain is one of her central attributes, the wish-granting jewel is standard to the appearance of Kichijoten across both imagery and time.

吉祥天女立像（重要文化財）

此吉祥天女立像造於平安時代（794-1185），據信雕像落成時，外表應不似現在，而是更加栩栩如生，色彩鮮活亮麗。平安時代的雕像多具雙性特徵，此雕像亦有此傾向，但研究認為吉祥天女應為女神。因此自古以來，世人就將吉祥天女視作美麗之神及象征多子多福、家門興旺之神來敬仰。與此同時，祂也逐漸成為代表幸運、財富等更為普遍的祈願對象。

正如前述，吉祥天女左手持如意寶珠，象徵賜予眾生恩惠的力量。此一能力固然令崇敬吉祥天女的信眾感恩，但在佛教中，清心寡欲、超脫現世塵俗方為修行之本。廣施恩惠的能力是吉祥天女的核心特質，因此無論在何時何地，吉祥天女皆以手持如意寶珠的形象示人。

吉祥天女立像（重要文化财）

此吉祥天女立像造于平安时代（794-1185），据说雕像落成时，外表比现在更加栩栩如生，色彩鲜活亮丽。平安时代的雕像多具双性特征，此雕像也有此倾向，但研究认为吉祥天女应为女神。因此自古以来，吉祥天女便是美丽之神，并有多子多福、家门兴旺之寓意。与此同时，她也逐渐成为代表幸运与财富等更为普遍的祭祀对象。

正如前述，吉祥天女左手持如意宝珠，象征赐予众生恩惠的力量。此能力固然令崇敬吉祥天女的信众感恩，但在佛教中，清心寡欲、超脱凡尘方为修行之重。广施恩惠的能力是吉祥天女的核心特质，因此无论身处何时何地，她皆以手持如意宝珠的形象示人。