Digital cultural properties of Wakasa Obama Top Explanation Pictorial record - Words Map History Chronology Back
Hagaji


The wooden statue of Bishamonten


Click on image and display an large image



<IMG src="map/hagaji.png" width="250" height="200">
registered location Owner
S16. November 6th. National Cultural Property Haga, Obama city Hagaji Singon sect Koyasan


It is the statue of Bishamonten which located on the right side of the main hall of Hagaji.

It is said that it is one of the protecting god in Indian legends and one of the four gods. Usually, it would be deified as the protector of the north, Tamonten. It is Bishamonten which Tamonten becomes the god of wealth. At that time, usually it has a partner, Kisshoten, but in this temple's case, it doesn't have.

It is 159.1cm in height. Head and body are made with one piece of Hinoki tree and hands are different pieces.

Usually, it is armed to protect the Buddha with an angry face, having a small bronze pagoda in the right hand and a pike in left hand. However, about the statue in Kuramayama in Kyoto, a left hand is applied to a forehead, and it has the form where the distant castle is seen, and has the unusual form called protection of a castle.

The crown was put later and it got repaired to become as it used to be in Showa 25.

It is clear that it was made in end of Heian period according to the notice written inside of the body. It might be made in countryside because it was made following the technique of one piece making.