Bishamonten

Bishamonten (毘沙門天) is the guardian of the north, the strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings, and the only one honoured on his own. He protects the teaching, grants victory and brings wealth, and he is one of the Seven Lucky Gods. In a set of four he is called Tamonten, he who hears much.

Japanese 毘沙門天, Bishamonten; 多聞天, Tamonten
Sanskrit Vaiśravaṇa
Rank Deva
Recognise by Full armour; a small pagoda raised in one hand; a spear or halberd in the other; often standing on demons
Companions Kichijōten, his consort, and Zennishi Dōji, his son

Identifying Bishamonten

The miniature pagoda, hōtō, is the decisive attribute: Bishamonten holds it aloft on his palm, containing the relics or teaching he protects. In the other hand he carries a spear or a trident halberd. He wears Chinese armour and a helmet or crown, sometimes with a flaming halo, and stands on demons or on a rock.

Forms of Bishamonten

  • Tobatsu Bishamonten. A form from Central Asia, standing on the upturned hands of an earth goddess between two demons. A Tang Chinese example at Tōji in Kyoto once guarded the city gate.
  • The Kurama triad. At Kuramadera, north of Kyoto, Bishamonten shades his eyes with one hand to watch over the capital, flanked by Kichijōten and Zennishi Dōji.
  • The lucky god. As one of the Seven Lucky Gods, Bishamonten keeps his armour but takes on a genial air.

The warriors' guardian

Samurai prayed to Bishamonten for victory. The sixteenth-century warlord Uesugi Kenshin, who believed himself an incarnation of the god, carried the first character of his name on his war banner.

Collecting notes

  • Bishamonten figures range from Heian temple sculpture to Edo lucky-god carvings and gold amulets. The pagoda and spear are often lost; check the hands.
  • Pairs of Bishamonten and Kichijōten, or the full Kurama triad, are particularly desirable.

In the collection

Browse Bishamonten figures and the Seven Lucky Gods. Our collector concierge can search Japan for a particular image.

See also

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