Jikokuten　持国天

KEY WORD :　art history / iconography

Sk: Dhrtarastra. A guardian deity with fierce expression *funnusou 忿怒相, believed to protect the east of Buddha's realm. Usually represented as part of a group of Four Guardian Kings *shitennou 四天王, each standing on a demon *jaki 邪鬼. Often wears armour yoroi 鎧, a helmet *kabuto 兜, and carries a sword. Japan's oldest Jikokuten statue, made of painted wood, forms part of the mid-7c shitennou group in Houryuuji *Kondou 法隆寺金堂, Nara.

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(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.　No reproduction or republication without written permission. 掲載のテキスト・写真・イラストなど、全てのコンテンツの無断複製・転載を禁じます。