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Kendatsuba@Š£θ’”k
KEY WORD :@art history / iconography
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Transliteration of the Sanskrit gandharva, translated as jikikou H (scent-eater), jinkou q (scent-seeker), etc., and also known as koujin _ (scent god). A class of semidivine beings to feed on the fragrance of herbs. In later Indian mythology they are regarded as celestial musicians, in which role they were incorporated into Buddhism as attendants of *Taishakuten ’ιŽί“V, who is a protector of Buddhist law. They are also counted among the attendants of *Jikokuten Ž‘“V, the guardian king of the eastern direction, among the eight classes of beings that protect Buddhism *hachibushuu ”ͺ•”O, and among the twenty-eight classes of beings that serve as attendants *nijuuhachi bushuu “ρ\”ͺ•”O to *Senju Kannon ηŽθŠΟ‰Ή, and the thirty-three manifestations of *Kannon ŠΟ‰Ή (see *sanjuusanshin ŽO\ŽOg) mentioned in the Lotus Sutra HOKEKYOU –@‰ΨŒo. They are also regarded as guardians of children, and it is in this role that one of their kings, called Sendan Kendatsuba ρ’hŠ£θ’”k, figures at the centre of the *Doujikyou mandara “ΆŽqŒo™ΦδΆ—…, which is used in Esoteric Buddhist rituals to ward off danger and illness from children. They are generally depicted clad in armour and holding a trident.
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(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.@No reproduction or republication without written permission.
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