Sorinji Temple
Main Image Wooden Standing Statues of Jikokuten and Zochoten Category Tenbu (Deva)
Impression TagsPowerDignityTense Presence
DescriptionSorinji Temple in Tsukidate, Kurihara City, preserves two wooden Heavenly Kings: Jikokuten and Zochoten. Both are carved from single blocks of keyaki wood, including the demons trampled beneath their feet. Jikokuten opens his mouth in the agyo expression, while Zochoten bares his teeth in the ungyo expression, each powerfully pinning down a demon. Tradition says the temple once had a complete set of the Four Heavenly Kings, including Komokuten and Tamonten, but two were lost in a fire, leaving the present pair. Made in the Heian period, the statues combine archaic features with dynamic movement and are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. They are normally closed to the public but can be viewed during the annual May 8–9 unveiling.
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