Kuramadera Temple Imperial Hall: Vaisravana, Mahadevi, and Kumara

JAPAN, Kyoto; Heian period

The central figure of this group is Vaisravana, accompanied by Mahadevi and Kumara. Vaisravana is the Heavenly King that guards the northern quarter of the royal city and is in charge of property, wealth, and honor. A sutra scroll is stored inside the Mahadevi statue, and is dated and inscribed the year 1127. All three were listed as National Treasures in 1952.
Vaisravana wears a triangular crown carved with the Triple Gem symbol, indicating his additional role as guardian of the Dharma. This is further emphasized by the watchful hand that shades his eyes, the trident halberd in his right hand and the armor he wears. The figure wears a severe expression, with knitted brows and downturned mouth, and stands on a rock with his left foot advanced.
Mahadevi, the long-haired goddess of beauty, is dressed in voluminous Chinese court garb and stands with eyes cast peaceably down. She holds a jewel in her left hand and her right is open in varada (wish-granting) mudra, indicating her other function as bringer of wealth.
The statue of the youthful Kumara has hair tied into circular clusters about the ears. In his left hand he cradles a sutra case, while his right forms the protective karana (warding off evil) mudra. The works are simple in style and plainly carved.