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Tobatsu Bishamonten@Š•ζλ”ωΉ–ε“V
KEY WORD :@art history / iconography
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A manifestation of *Bishamonten ”ωΉ–ε“V said to have appeared in the Central Asian kingdom of Tou-po (Jp: Tobatsu Š•ζλ) during the Tang dynasty. Although sometimes linked to Tu-fan “f”Χ (ancient Tibet), the identity of this kingdom remains unknown. Tobatsu Bishamonten was invoked in particular for the protection of capital cities and the repulsion of foreign invaders, and depictions of him have been found among the murals of Tun-huang (Jp: Tonkou “ΦΰŠ).
In appearance he is characterized by his close-fitting armour, tight at the waist and reaching down below the knees. He wears a crown, holds a miniature pagoda *houtou •σ“ƒ in the palm of his right hand and a club or trident in his left. He stands on the upturned palms of the earth godness Jiten ’n“V, who is flanked by two demons.
The oldest image of him in Japan is a wooden statue preserved at Touji “ŒŽ›, Kyoto, said to have been brought from Tang China and originally installed in the upper storey of Rajoumon —…ι–ε, the main entrance to Heiankyou •½ˆΐ‹ž, in order to protect this former capital of Japan. This statue provided the model for subsequent Japanese images of him which are found most often in Kyuushuu ‹γB and Touhoku “Œ–k region, where his cult appears to have flourished during the Heian period because of his alleged efficacy in repulsing foreign invaders to which these areas were particularly susceptible. Examples include those at Kanzeonji ŠΟ’‰ΉŽ› in Fukuoka prefecture, Eikouji ‰i‹»Ž› in Ooita prefecture, and Narushima Bishamondou ¬“‡”ωΉ–ε“° in Iwate prefecture.
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(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.@No reproduction or republication without written permission.
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