Bishamon-ten (Vaisravana)

Bishamonten (Skt., Vaisravana), also known as Tamonten, is the guardian of the northern direction. He is commonly portrayed with a jeweled rod in his right hand and a jeweled pagoda in the left. Here he sits on a felt-covered pedestal in the lotus position. This hanging scroll from the set of Twelve Devas, formerly owned by the temple Kyôôgokoku-ji (more commonly known as Tô-ji), in Kyoto, is invaluable art historically because its production date is known. The vibrant color and brilliant cut-gold leaf (J., kirikane) decoration seen in this elegant image of Bishamonten are representative of paintings executed during the Insei (cloisetered emperors) era (1086-1185).

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.