Horyuji Temple
Main Image Standing Four Heavenly Kings Category Tenbu (Deva)
Impression TagsDignityStillnessRefinement
DescriptionThe National Treasure standing Four Heavenly Kings occupy the four corners of the altar in Horyuji Temple's Kondo. Carved from single blocks of camphor wood in the mid-7th century during the Asuka period, they are regarded as the oldest surviving Four Heavenly Kings statues in Japan. Jikokuten guards the east, Zochoten the south, Komokuten the west, and Tamonten the north, protecting the Buddhist world in all four directions. Unlike the dynamic and intimidating guardians of later periods, these figures retain an ancient Asuka style through their linear, calm standing forms. The Kondo is part of the regular western precinct admission area and is open 8:00–17:00 from February 22 to November 3 and 8:00–16:30 from November 4 to February 21.
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