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Bishamônten, Guardian of the North

Artist Unknown
Culture Japanese
Title Bishamônten, Guardian of the North (Bishamônten)
Date 12th–mid 14th century
Medium Wood with traces of pigment
Dimensions Object: 31 1/2 × 12 7/8 × 10 1/2 in. (80 × 32.7 × 26.7 cm)
Overall (includes mount): 32 1/2 × 12 7/8 × 10 5/8 in. (82.6 × 32.7 × 27 cm)
Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 61.17

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About this Work

Bishamōnten is one of four guardians in Buddhism associated with the cardinal directions. He is identified by the stupa he holds in his left palm. As befitting his role as guardian, he is wearing boots and protective armor. Although the grain of the wood is aesthetically pleasing, in the sculpture’s original state this would have been obscured by pigment. For a similar figure from China see 62.7, a Tang dynasty tomb guardian figure.


Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

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"Bishamônten, Guardian of the North | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=61.17