National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

Rasetsuten is one of the Twelve Devas that were produced in 1127 (Daiji 2) for the annual New Year’s ceremony of esoteric prayers that was held in the Shingon-in Hall at the Imperial Palace from the Heian period (794-1185). They were formerly owned by Kyoogokoku-ji (To-ji) Temple.
The twelve devas are the guardians of the four quarters and four semi-quarters, up and down, and the sun and moon. Rasetsuten guards the southwestern direction. In his right hand, he holds a sword; his left hand forms a “sword” mudra (symbolic hand gesture). The three figures in this painting are depicted with a unique painting style in an clean composition. The two attendants with their highly slanted eyes are particularly charming. The fiery halo and the bird and animal motifs on the cloth give this work special appeal.