National Treasure Gallery: Twelve Devas: Fu ten (Vayu)
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Twelve Devas: Fu ten (Vayu), Heian period, 9th century, (National Treasure, Lent by Saidaiji, Nara)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
April 12, 2016 (Tue) - May 8, 2016 (Sun)The Twelve Devas are guardian deities of the twelve directions in Esoteric Buddhism. Originally gods of nature and other deities that appeared in ancient Indian mythology, they comprise Taishaku Ten (Indra in Sanskrit; guarding the east), Enma Ten (Yama; south), Sui Ten (Varuna; west), Bishamon Ten (Vaisravana; north), Ishana Ten (Isana; northeast), Ka Ten (Agni; southeast), Rasetsu Ten (Raksasa; southwest), Fu Ten (Vayu; northwest), Bon Ten (Brahma; the heavens), Ji Ten (Prthivi; the earth), Nitten (Surya; the sun), and Gatten (Candra; the moon).
This work is part of the oldest extant set of the paintings of the Twelve Devas, which have been preserved in Saidaiji Temple in Nara prefecture. The paintings in this set share certain features. For example, stately devas seated on birds and other animals are depicted on a large scale, taking up much of the compositions, while their attendants, positioned on both sides of the devas, are small. The liberal use of bright colors, such as vermilion and green, is also a common feature across the set.
The Indian scripture Kalpa, which prescribes rules and regulations for rituals and the creation of religious statues, gives descriptions of the Twelve Devas. Fu Ten, it states, rides on a roe deer and has an old look and a red body clad in armor with pieces of his garment, such as his belt, fluttering in the wind. Although the image in this painting is unclear in most parts due to substantial damages such as flaking pigments and scratches, Fu Ten, wearing armor on his robust torso and legs, as well as his old, yet fearless face are discernible. Imbued with the bold spirit of continental Asia, this is a valuable work from the 9th century.
On Exhibit:
Twelve Devas: Fu ten (Vayu), Heian period, 9th century (National Treasure, Lent by Saidaiji, Nara)