Shitennō

The name and role of the Shitennō

An entry bringing together the four deities Jikokuten, Zōjōten, Kōmokuten and Tamonten. They are described as deities in the form of four warrior generals who live halfway up Mount Shumi and serve Taishakuten.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Tracing the form and traditions

They correspond to the directions east, south, west and north, and are said to protect this world by taking charge not only of the Buddhist teaching but also of the domains of the four great elements. They are usually placed at the four corners of what is to be protected, and where space is narrow they are described as being placed, from the viewer's left, in the order Kōmokuten, Zōjōten, Jikokuten and Tamonten.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Four heavenly kings who guard the Buddhist teaching from the four directions

The Four Heavenly Kings are Jikokuten of the east, Zōjōten of the south, Kōmokuten of the west and Tamonten of the north. They are taught to serve Taishakuten and to protect the world of Mount Shumi and the Buddhist teaching. In temples they are enshrined around the four sides as deities who protect the principal image and the teaching.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院

Protection expressed in armed figures

In the Lecture Hall of Tō-ji, too, the Four Heavenly Kings, together with Bonten and Taishakuten, protect the nyorai, bodhisattvas and myōō. Their armor and weapons, and the demons (jaki) beneath their feet, give visual form to the power of protection. The individual attributes and colors differ from image to image.

Source: 真言宗総本山 東寺・飛不動尊 正宝院

Related shrines and temples

• Myōsen-jiEdogawa, Tokyo

Related kami and buddhas

• Jikokuten持国天
• Zōchōten増長天
• Kōmokuten広目天
• Tamonten / Bishamonten多聞天・毘沙門天
• Taishakuten帝釈天