Buddhist Deities Guide: Nyorai, Bosatsu, Myoo, Tenbu | Japonista Archive
BUDDHIST STATUES & SACRED ART · IDENTIFICATION
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Pillar context: Buddhist Statues & Sacred Art (Pillar)
This page is the archive’s deity family map. It explains how Buddhist figures are classified in Japanese sacred art so you can identify statues accurately and understand why certain figures appear together.
Use this guide when you are unsure what “type” of figure you are looking at, when a set includes multiple roles, or when you want to avoid common misidentifications.
Start Here: The Four Core Families
Nyorai (Buddhas)
Fully awakened beings. Usually calm, symmetrical, and minimally adorned.
Bosatsu (Bodhisattvas)
Compassionate helpers. Often adorned, gentle in posture, and responsive in expression.
Myoo (Wisdom Kings)
Wrathful protectors of Buddhist law. Intense expressions, dynamic forms, and protective power—never “demons.”
Tenbu (Heavenly Beings & Guardians)
Protectors and attendants. Often armored or celestial in styling, commonly seen in sets and temple guardianship roles.
How to Identify a Family (Fast)
- Calm and unadorned → likely Nyorai
- Adorned and gentle → likely Bosatsu
- Wrathful with flames / weapons → likely Myoo
- Armored / guardian posture → likely Tenbu
Always confirm with: hand gesture (mudra) + objects held + context in a set.
Why Families Matter
- They clarify role: teaching vs compassion vs protection vs guardianship.
- They explain why figures cluster in triads and altar groupings.
- They set expectations for attributes and help flag suspicious combinations.