Muroji Temple Golden Hall: Sakra and Heavenly Beings

JAPAN, Nara, Uda; Heian period

This 9th century mural is painted on a wooden partition wall made up of five cypress boards joined together, and is located between the columns at the back of the altar in the Golden Hall of Muroji Temple. It was listed as a National Treasure in 1979.
Though the image is partially damaged, the central figures are still visible. Sakra sits in the center of the picture, flanked by two attendants. Wearing a headdress and a robe with decorative sleeves, Sakra appears to hold up an object with the right hand. The standing attendants hold a bowl and a scroll. All three figures have colorful nimbuses.
Surrounding the three central figures, there are numerous small heavenly beings arranged in columns and rows. They sit in lotus position wearing square caps and monastic robes, and hold objects including a whisk, a ruyi (wish-fulfilling talisman), a banner, and a scroll. This depiction of numerous small seated figures seems to be based on Nara period (710–794) images of the Thousand Buddhas.