+ ZŌCHŌTEN (Virudhaka) - Heavenly King, polychrome wood, Japan, Edo era, 18th / 19th century

Japan, Edo era, 18th / 19th century

Height 52 cm, width 21 cm, depth. 17 cm.

The condition is visible in the photos, good, missing polychrome, in the right hand the samurai was probably holding a weapon originally (a sword or a spear, traditionally for Zōchōten).

More details


5 000 zł tax incl.

The sculpture made of polychrome wood shows one of the four Heavenly Kings - Zōchōten (Sanskrit: Virudhaka). He is the traditional Ranger of the South and was placed on this side of the world of a Buddhist temple. The oldest sculpture of a Zōchōten in Japan dates back to the 7th century and is located in the Hōryūji Temple in Nara. His name literally means "one who leads to growth, he who enlarges" and is a symbol of spiritual development. The artist showed a strong expression of the character, and beautifully depicted the details of the armor (yoroi) and the helmet with the head of a rooster (kabuto).

8888; ">Information and auction results:

'https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-5294695

https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/zouchoten.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Heavenly_Kings