Carving (National Important Cultural Asset)　3

Shitennou (The four Devas)

国指定文化財

All important cultural assets （designated April 5, 1927）

Koumokuten
(Guardian of the West)

Zouchouten
(Guardian of the South)

Jikokuten
(Guardian of the East)

Tamonten
(Guardian of the North)

Each of these statues, including the devil on which it stands, is carved from a single tree. The dynamic and strong carving style in each is quite pronounced. Short and fat, with hips thrust to one side, the fierce expression and dynamic pose of each is quite dramatic. The face of the statue known as Tamonten has been remade, but it is nonetheless an excellent statue given its age. The set's exact age is not known. However, Shojoji's Shitennou appear to closely resemble those of Daian temple (Dianji) which date back to the Nara period.

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