Kofukuji Temple North Octagonal Hall: Four Heavenly Kings

JAPAN, Nara; Nara period

Inscriptions found on the plinths of the Heavenly Kings, Virudhaka and Vaisravana, record that the sculptures were made in 791 and were once located in Daianji Temple. The main bodies of the statues are carved from single blocks of hollowed cypress wood, with smaller details, such as the hair, armor decorations and stoles, separately carved using the contemporary wood-core dry lacquer technique. They were listed as National Treasures in 1956.
The figures pose with feet apart, trampling demons in their martial might. They are short-necked and stocky, glaring ferociously with protruding eyes and downturned or snarling mouths, as they strike exaggerated attitudes that are whimsically lifelike. While some wear full sets of armor, others are bare armed. Only Virudhaka wears a helmet, the other three leaving their decorated topknots uncovered.