Shitennō: The Four Heavenly Kings

The Shitennō (四天王) guard the four quarters of the world from the slopes of Mount Sumeru, the axis of the Buddhist cosmos. In Japanese temples they stand at the four corners of the altar platform, in Chinese armour, trampling demons, so that the principal image is protected on every side.

King Direction Usual attribute Colour
Jikokuten, Keeper of the Realm East Sword Blue-green
Zōchōten, Lord of Growth South Halberd or spear Red
Kōmokuten, Broad-eyed One West Brush and scroll, or rope White
Tamonten, Hearer of Much North Pagoda and spear Black

Tamonten is the same deity as Bishamonten, who is also worshipped alone.

Identifying the four

Attributes vary between periods and temples, so identification is by combination. Kōmokuten with a brush and scroll, recording what he sees, and Tamonten with a small pagoda are the most reliable. Jikokuten and Zōchōten often both carry weapons and may be told apart only by position or colour. All four wear armour of Tang Chinese type, with flaring scarves, and stand on crouching demons, jaki, whose comic grimaces are a delight of the genre.

The Shitennō in Japanese art

  • Hōryūji. The four kings of the Golden Hall, of the seventh century, are the oldest in Japan: upright, frontal and calm.
  • Tōdaiji Kaidan-in. Four clay kings of the eighth century, intense and restrained, are among the finest Nara sculptures.
  • Shitennōji, Osaka. Japan's first state temple, said to have been founded by Shōtoku Taishi after he prayed to the four kings for victory.

Collecting notes

  • Complete sets are rare. Single kings, often Tamonten, appear more often.
  • Weapons, scarves and demons are fragile. Original demons with good carving add considerably to a figure.
  • Armoured guardians suit collectors of samurai armour, sharing the language of military dress.

In the collection

Browse guardian deities and Bishamonten. Our collector concierge can search Japan for a single king or a set.

See also

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