Accession Number2003/1.391
TitleThe Deva Idaten
Artist(s)Yamawaki TōkiObject Creation Datecirca 1800-1839Medium & Supportink, color and gold on silkDimensions 45 1/16 in. x 12 3/4 in. ( 114.5 cm x 32.4 cm )
Credit LineGift of Helmut SternLabel copyWith the decline in prestige and economic clout of the Buddhist establishment in Edo-period Japan, patronage for Buddhist painting fell off sharply. The Kyoto artist Ki no Hironari (who also went by the name Yamawaki Tôki) managed to counter this trend by cultivating a clientele among a small group of conservative court nobles. Trained by the naturalist painter Matsumura Goshun, Hironari applied his considerable representational skills to both Buddhist and classical figure subjects.
The deity depicted here, Idaten, is a Buddhist adaptation of Skanda, a Hindu warrior god who was the son of Shiva. According to the Sutra of Golden Light, a demon stole the Buddha’s ashes, and it was Idaten who chased him to the summit of Mount Meru to retrieve the sacred relics. Idaten is thus associated with extraordinary speed and came to be regarded as a protector of monasteries and monks, as well as warding off fire and theft. Hironari himself lived a monk-like existence in the western suburbs of Kyoto, and this work may have had personal significance for him.
Maribeth Graybill, Recent Acquisitions of East Asian Art, November 5, 2005-May 14, 2006
(Japanese Gallery Rotations, Spring 2009)
Subject matterThe deity depicted here, Idaten, is a Buddhist adaptation of Skanda, a Hindu warrior god who was the son of Shiva. According to the Sutra of Golden Light, a demon stole the Buddha’s ashes, and it was Idaten who chased him to the summit of Mount Meru to retrieve the sacred relics. Idaten is thus associated with extraordinary speed and came to be regarded as a protector of monasteries and monks, as well as warding off fire and theft. Hironari himself lived a monk-like existence in the western suburbs of Kyoto, and this work may have had personal significance for him.
Physical DescriptionIdaten is depicted here, fierce, standing on clouds. His garments blow in the breeze, and a halo showing his power and godliness encircles his head.
Primary Object Classification Painting Primary Object Typehanging scrollCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
clouds
hanging scrolls
moons