Images(2)

Benzaiten with Attending Deities

Artist Anonymous

Dateca. 1400

GeographyJapan

Mediumink , light colors and gold on silk

Dimensions76.2 x 38.7 cm (30 x 15 1/4 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineGift of Koshi & Sumie Miyasaki, 1983 (5178.1)

Object number5178.1

DescriptionThree of the seven gods of happiness (shichi Fukujin). At right is Daikoku (God of Prosperity); at center is Benzaiten (Goddess of Love); at left is Bishamonten (God of Happiness and War). The central Goddess is hierarchacally the largest. She is elaborately dressed in a Chinese robe and headdress and is seated in the lotus position and has her eight attributes in each of her arms (the jewel, staff, hoho, sword, wheel, bow, arrows, and an object too worn to identify). The two flanking deities are standing. Bishamonten holds a stupa; Daitoku has a bag and mallet. Sixteen attendants are there to supply neccessities, luxuries and offerings, among them appears to be a boat floating in water at the bottom of the painting.

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