LANGUAGE
Full Enlargement

Full Enlargement

Full Enlargement

Buddhist Paintings

Rasetsu-ten (Saksasa, Nairrti)(One of the Twelve Devas)

  • Hanging scroll, color and gold on silk
  • 144.4 x 126.7 cm
  • Late-Heian Period (Dated 1127)
  • National Treasure
  • AK 283

Rasetsu-ten is one of the Twelve Devas that were made in 1127 to be hung at the annual, New Year's ceremony of esoteric prayers, held at Shingon-in in the Imperial Palace. They were formerly owned by Kyoogokoku-ji (To-ji) Temple.

The twelve devas are the guardians of the four quarters and four semi-quarters, up and down, and the sun and moon. Rasetsu-ten guards the southwest semi-quarter. In his right hand he holds a sword; his left hand is held in the "sword" mudra (symbolic hand position).

The three figures in this painting are depicted with a unique painting style in an clean composition. The two attendants, with their highly slanted eyes, are particularly charming. The fiery halo and the bird and animal motifs on the cloth give this work special appeal.

Bishamon-ten Ishana-ten Taishaku-ten Ka-ten Enma-ten Rasetsu-ten Sui-ten Fu-ten Bon-ten Ji-ten Nitten Gatten

Title and URL copied to clipboard

Share
Twitter
facebook
LINE
copy

To facilitate a convenient browsing experience for our users, this website uses cookies. If you agree to the use of cookies on this website, click “Accept.” If you select “Decline,” only the required cookies will be used. For further details on required cookies and other information, please review our Website Policy