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Lot Essay
The dating of this lots is consistent with the Re.S.Artes C14 test no. R 145601A, 28 November 2024.
This sculpture represents Zocho-ten the guardian of the South. He is part of the Shitenno, or Four Heavenly Guardians which are the most frequently encountered of the Ten (Deva), or heavenly beings, which derive from the Brahmic deities of ancient India. They guard the four directions against the enemies of Buddhism, and as such they are usually situated at the four corners of the main altar in temples.
There are Jikoku-ten (the East), Zocho-ten (the South), Komoku-ten (the West), and Tamon-ten who is also known as Bishamon-ten (the North).
The guardians are usually dressed in armour or military tunics in Tang Chinese style, and carry polearms, vajra, and other weapons. Since the Heian period they have been depicted with ferocious expressions and in attitudes of violent readiness, and frequently, as with these figures, they stand on the four demonic beasts called amanjaku.
This sculpture represents Zocho-ten the guardian of the South. He is part of the Shitenno, or Four Heavenly Guardians which are the most frequently encountered of the Ten (Deva), or heavenly beings, which derive from the Brahmic deities of ancient India. They guard the four directions against the enemies of Buddhism, and as such they are usually situated at the four corners of the main altar in temples.
There are Jikoku-ten (the East), Zocho-ten (the South), Komoku-ten (the West), and Tamon-ten who is also known as Bishamon-ten (the North).
The guardians are usually dressed in armour or military tunics in Tang Chinese style, and carry polearms, vajra, and other weapons. Since the Heian period they have been depicted with ferocious expressions and in attitudes of violent readiness, and frequently, as with these figures, they stand on the four demonic beasts called amanjaku.