Images(11)

Standing guardian king

Place of OriginJapan

Date900-1000

PeriodHeian period (794-1185)

MaterialsWood

DimensionsH. 37 in x W. 13 1/2 in x D. 10 in, H. 94 cm x W. 34.3 cm x D. 25.4 cm; H. 4 3/4 in x W. 14 1/2 in x D. 1 1/2 in (base)

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Object numberB67S1

DepartmentJapanese Art

ClassificationsSculpture

On View

On view

LocationGallery 26

More Information

This fierce-looking king is a protector of the Buddha’s sacred law and also a fighter of evil spirits. His right foot is raised to stamp upon the head of a demon (now missing). His costume consists of a tunic, trousers, and armor— front and back plates, side protectors, and a waist plate decorated with a menacing lion’s-face buckle. This figure is likely one of the Guardian Kings of the Four Directions, who belong to a large class of Buddhist deities below the level of buddhas and bodhisattvas. The torso of the figure is carved from a single block of wood. Since its arms are missing, we do not know how they were positioned, or what symbolic implements they held.

Subject