Rasetsuten, One of the Twelve Devas
Heian period, 9th century (National Treasure, Lent by Saidaiji Temple, Nara)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
September 7, 2021 (Tue) - October 3, 2021 (Sun)
The Twelve Devas are guardian deities in the esoteric schools of Buddhism. They protect different directions as well as the sun and the moon from the enemies of Buddhism. The deity shown here, Rasetsuten, guards the southwest. Over 1,200 years old, this depiction is a rare surviving example of early Buddhist painting in Japan. Although faded and worn, it retains some of its former splendor: Rasetsuten boldly fills the composition and is painted with strong contrasts of red and green. This distinct artistic style is based on Buddhist paintings from China’s Tang dynasty (618—907).
Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
Highlight | National Treasure | Rasetsuten, One of the Twelve Devas | Heian period, 9th century | Lent by Saidaiji Temple, Nara |