Title Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings

  • Nara
Topic(s):
Shrines/Temples/Churches
Medium/Media of Use:
App, QR code, etc.
Text Length:
≤250 Words
FY Prepared:
2019
Associated Tourism Board:
rotasurodotagengokaisetsuseibisuishinkyogikai
Associated Address:
457 Nishinokyocho, Nara-shi , Nara

四天王像

観音と並んで台の上に存在するのは、古代インドの神話にルーツを持つ4人の仏教の神々の像です。悪と戦い、仏の教えを守るために超自然的な生物の軍隊を指揮する世界の守護者です。

日本では、彼らは四天王と呼ばれており、四方を守っています。多聞天は北の守護者であり、増長天は南を守護し、広目天は西を、そして、持国天が東を守っています。彫像は、彼らが保護している世界の方角を示すために、台の四隅に配置されています。

演壇の碑文は、1289年に彫像が彫られ、7年後に色付けされたことを示しています。素晴らしい職人技と、像の絶妙な色彩と全体的な状態により、2018年に重要文化財として登録されました。

彫像には、作られた時期を反映した要素も現れています。それぞれ王は、鬼のような怪物を踏みつけており、その勝利のポーズ、そしていうまでもなく彼らの戦いの鎧から、侍も暗示されます。侍は13世紀に権力の絶頂にあっただけでなく、この時期に仏教の影響を強く受けつつありました。


Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings


Present alongside Kannon on the dais are statues of four Buddhist deities that have their roots in ancient Indian mythology. There they are portrayed as the guardians of the world who fight against evil and command troops of supernatural creatures to defend the Buddhist teachings.


In Japan they are known as the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno), each of whom is charged with watching over one of the four cardinal directions. Tamonten is the protector of the north; Zochoten guards the south; Komokuten keeps his eye on the west; and Jikokuten is king of the east. The statues are positioned at the four corners of the dais to indicate the corners of the world they are charged with protecting.


Inscriptions on the dais indicate that the statues were carved in 1289 and painted seven years later. The superb craftsmanship employed as well as the exquisite coloring and overall condition of the images led them to being registered as Important Cultural Properties in 2018.


The statues display elements that reflect the times in which they were made. Each king can be seen trampling on a demonic creature; and the kings’ victorious poses, not to mention their military armor, are suggestive of samurai warriors, whose power was not only in the ascendancy during the thirteenth century but who were also increasingly influenced by Buddhism.


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