Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Jikokuten
持国天
Jikokuten is the guardian deity in charge of the east among the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō), and is said to protect Tōshōshinshū, the eastern continent of Mount Shumisen.
This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The name and role of Jikokuten
Jikokuten is the guardian deity in charge of the east among the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō), and is said to protect Tōshōshinshū, the eastern continent of Mount Shumisen. On the site, he is listed in connection with both the Four Heavenly Kings and the Twenty-eight Attendants (Nijūhachi Bushū).
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the form and traditions
The usual form is described as wearing a helmet and holding a jewel in the right hand and a sword in the left. There is also a note that when the figure is colored, it is in shades of verdigris green, and that he is said to be the same as Kendatsuba-ō.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Four heavenly kings protecting the teachings from four directions
The Four Heavenly Kings are Jikokuten in the east, Zōchōten in the south, Kōmokuten in the west, and Tamonten in the north. It is taught that they serve Taishakuten and protect the world of Mount Shumisen and the Buddhist teachings. In temples, they are enshrined as if surrounding the principal image on four sides, as figures who protect the principal image and the teachings.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Protection expressed in armed figures
In the Lecture Hall (Kōdō) of Tōji as well, the Four Heavenly Kings, together with Bonten and Taishakuten, guard the buddhas, bodhisattvas, and myōō. Their armor and weapons, and the demons (jaki) beneath their feet, visually express their power of protection. The individual attributes and colors differ from statue to statue.
Source: 真言宗総本山 東寺・飛不動尊 正宝院
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
おん ぢりたらしゅたら らら はらまだな そわか。
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：持国天」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：四天王」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 真言宗総本山 東寺「天、菩薩、明王、如来」（2026-10-15 確認）