Kofukuji Temple: Demons Carrying Lamps

JAPAN, Nara; Kamakura period

These demon figures were assembled from several pieces of wood and their lamps added later. An inscription inside the statue of Ryutoki, the demon with the dragon and lamp, ascribes it to the famous sculptor Koben. They were originally housed in the West Golden Hall, and are now kept at the National Treasure Museum. They were listed as a National Treasure in 1954.
Creatures like these are generally seen trampled underfoot by the Four Heavenly Kings and are rarely found carrying lamps. Ryutoki who is identified by the dragon wrapped around him, is bluish-green and balances the lamp on his head. His eyebrows are cut from copper coins, he has two tusks of crystal and he once had a beard attached. The eyes staring upward at the lamp are of inlaid semi-precious stone and the hair is ornamented with chunks of gold. The dragon about his neck is wrapped in turn by the demon’s muscular arms. The demon is wearing a loincloth and stands astride a rock.
The skin of Tentoki, the demon with a heavenly lamp, is reddish-brown. His roaring head is horned and tusked. He wears a rough animal hide about his waist and only a shawl knotted round his neck. The lamp is supported on one shoulder by the left hand, towards which his eyes turn. The burden forces even his muscled body to one side, with the main weight taken on the left leg and the right fist clenched with the effort. The bodies of both are short and the comical detail is arresting.