Toji Temple Lecture Hall: Four Heavenly Kings

JAPAN, Kyoto; Heian period

The life-size statues of the Heavenly Kings are located at the four corners of the lecture hall’s platform. Apart from Vaisravana who was refurbished in later years, the other Heavenly Kings were carved from single pieces of hollowed wood with certain limbs and dry lacquer accessories added. The eyes, inlaid with black lacquered bronze, are a sculptural feature of the early Heian period (794–1185). The figures were recognized as National Treasures in 1954.
Both Dhrtarastra and Virudhaka have their hair in topknots, while Virupaksa and Vaisravana wear helmets. All four figures are dressed in almost identical armor and each stands before a flaming Dharma wheel nimbus. Three of the kings stand on demons, while Vaisravana is supported on the palms of Prthivi, the Earth Goddess. Dhrtarastra and Virudhaka have a wrathful mien, with staring eyes beneath upward slanting brows and roaring mouths. Both figures hold tridents in their upraised right hand, while their lowered left hand holds a sword defensively across the body. Their feet press down on the heads of twin demons and the hips twist as they take up position with one foot forward, the seams of their kilts and their silk stoles flying in the wake of their momentum. The deeply textured clothing and wide sleeve cuffs are cut in succinct strokes and decorated with gold foil, mixed with patterns of shields and floral motifs, achieving a grand and colorful effect.