Cleveland Museum of Art
Guardian King of the North (Bishamonten)
- Date
- 1185–1333
- Medium
- wood with gold polychromy
- Culture
- Japan, Kamakura period (1185–1333)
- Department
- Japanese Art
- Institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
In Buddhism, Bishamonten is one of four kings who protect the cardinal directions. He stands with a stupa symbolizing the Buddhist teachings and relics of the Buddha in the palm of his left hand, and a spear to foil the enemies of Buddhism in his right. He crushes a demon beneath his feet.
The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.
Related across collections
Semantically similar works from Cleveland Museum of Art and other institutions.
Bishamonten, the Guardian of the North
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Bishamonten, the Guardian of the North
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Bishamonten, the Guardian of the North
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Bishamonten Ritual Mirror
Cleveland Museum of Art
Head of one of the Four Heavenly King (Shitennō)
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Armored Guardian King (Tianwang) Trampling Demon
Art Institute of Chicago
Armored Guardian King (Tianwang) Trampling Demon
Art Institute of Chicago
Final Page and Back Cover of Buddhist Manuscript With Four Guardian Kings
Art Institute of Chicago
Lokapala Guardian King, one of a pair
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Heavenly King Virudhaka
Cleveland Museum of Art
Aizen Myōō, The Wisdom King of Passion
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Aizen Myōō, The Wisdom King of Passion
Minneapolis Institute of Art