Bon-ten (Brahman)

The Twelve Devas, formerly owned by the temple, Tô-ji (also known as Kyôôgokoku-ji), were painted in 1127 (Daiji 2). Of the twelve in hanging scroll format, however, the paintings of Bonten (Skt., Brahman) and Fûten (Skt., Vayu) are expressed much more elaborately and are larger in scale. One theory suggests that these two are earlier works, painted in 1040 (Chôkyû 1), which escaped a fire that destroyed the rest of the original 1040 set. A more persuasive interpetation suggests that the differences derive from the individual styles of two different painters of the early 12th century.

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