Bishamonten

hanging scroll

Japanese Collection

Accession Nr.: 5640
Type: painting
Date of production:
18h century
Edo (Tokugawa) period
Place of production:
Acquisition: collected by Péter Vay
Materials/Techniques: colours on silk
Dimensions: height: 84 cm
width: 33 cm
The central figure in this painting is Bishamonten (毘沙門天, Sanskrit: Vaiśravana), guardian of the North, standing on the back of a monster. To the right of the main character stands Bishamonten’s wife Kichijoten, goddess of fortune and plenty. To the left of Bishamonten is their son, Zennishi Doji, who holds a book of sutras.