Deva (ten) or guardian deity

Tōhachi Bishamon

刀八毘沙門とうはちびしゃもん

Tōhachi Bishamonten is an image of Bishamonten bearing swords in many arms. The statue at Saimyō-ji has four faces and twelve arms; it holds swords in eight hands, also bears a pagoda, a jewel and other objects, and rides a lion. There are different types in the number of faces and arms.

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