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

Bishamonten, also known as Tamonten, guards the northern quarter. He is commonly depicted with a jeweled rod in his right hand and a jeweled stupa raised in his left, sitting with crossed legs. Formerly owned by Kyoogokoku-ji (To-ji) Temple, this hanging scroll of one of the Twelve Devas is an extremely important work, which can be accurately dated from historical sources. The rich colors and lavish use of kirikane (cut gold leaf) patterns in this exquisite Bishamonten denote the aesthetics of the era of the cloistered emperor.