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- Nitten (Surya)
Overview
National Treasure
Nitten (Surya)
- Museum No.
- AK283-2
Showing 1-6 of 1
| Title | Nitten (Surya) |
|---|---|
| Designation | National Treasure |
| Artist | |
| Category | Painting(A), Buddhist Painting, Esoteric Buddhist Painting |
| Country | Japan |
| Period | Heian Late |
| Century | 12th |
| Year | 1127 |
| Quantity | |
| Materials | |
| Dimensions | Height 144cm Width 127cm |
| Inscription by | |
| Signature/Seals Etc | |
| Donor |
Included Works
Twelve Devas
AK283
Gatten (Candra)
AK283-1
Fu-ten (Vayu)
AK283-3
Sui-ten (Varuna)
AK283-4
Rasatsuten (Saksasa, Nairrti)
AK283-5
Enma-ten (Yama)
AK283-6
Ka-ten (Agni)
AK283-7
Taishaku-ten (Indra)
AK283-8
Ishana-ten (Isana)
AK283-9
Bishamon-ten (Vaisravana)
AK283-10
Bon-ten (Brahman)
AK283-11
Ji-ten (Prthivi)
AK283-12
This object may be one within a set or the title of a set. To see all objects in the set, perform a Category Search by the Museum Number below, entering numerals only before the hyphen.

Nitten, the sun god, known as Surya in Sanskrit, appears as a bodhisattva in this painting. Originally an Indian god, Nitten was adopted as one of the twelve deities (Skt., devas) of Esoteric Buddhism and became a Buddhist guardian. This image was painted in 1127 (Daiji 2) for the ceremony, Goshichinichi-no-mishiho ("austerities after the seventh day"). It is held every New Year's at the Shingon-in Hall on the grounds of the Imperial Palace, in prayer for the peace of the nation. One of the unique characteristics of this painting is that the deva sits on a felt-covered pedestal. In other versions, Nitten rides a carriage drawn by three to seven white horses.
Japan-Heian-Late