Todaiji Temple Lotus Hall: Four Heavenly Kings

JAPAN, Nara; Nara period

The Four Heavenly Kings stand at the corners of Todaiji Temple’s Lotus Hall. All four figures wear full armor, decorated with animal motifs, and trample upon demons. This set of sculptures was listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
The snarling Dhrtarastra stands in the east, holding a halberd in his right hand while the left hand is at his waist. Virudhaka, in the south holds a trident in both hands as he turns his body to look to one side with a scowl on his face. Vaisravana in the north holds a trident in the right hand with the left forearm flexed, and the hand that should be holding a pagoda is raised. Virupaksa in the west carries a scroll in his left hand, but the writing brush is missing from the right hand. His face is wrathful, with fiery eyes and clamped mouth.
Remnants of the original paint can be seen on the statues, including foliate and floral patterns, phoenixes and clouds. The statues date from the middle of the 8th century judging from the intricately sculpted forms and embellishments on the fringes of the armor.