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The head and the main section of the torso are fashioned from two pieces of wood, joined right and left. The statue was hollowed, and the head was detached and rejoined. The legs were split along the bottom edge of the skirt and then rejoined. The gold leaf has been applied over lacquer (shippaku). The decoration is in polychrome and cut-gold (kirikane). The statue stands on a rock pedestal, which is 19.4 cm in height and is made from polychromed Japanese cypress.

Provenance

By 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)



NOTES:

[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.

Credit Line

William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Bishamoten, the Guardian of the North

  • Bishamonten ryuzo
  • 毘沙門天立像　一躯
  • Japanese, late Heian period, late 11th century–12th century
Dimensions
Height of figure: 169 cm (66 9/16 in.)
Medium or Technique
Japanese cypress with polycrome and gold; joined woodblock construction
Classification
Sculpture
Type
Sculpture
Catalogue Raisonné
Kajima Volume 1: Chapter 2, pg. 37: no. 26
Accession Number
11.11409
On view
Japan: Buddhist Temple Room - 279

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