---
title: Japanese Bishamon Ten Scuplture
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7784/japanese-bishamon-ten-scuplture/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Japanese Bishamon Ten Scuplture

_Authored by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/)_

## Image File

[![Japanese Bishamon Ten Scuplture](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7784.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7784.jpg)

## Image Caption

Made of wood with polychrome, cut [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) leaf, and crystal eyes, this is one of the most remarkable statues from [ancient Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Japan/). The ink inscription eclosed in the statue of Bishamon Ten (Vaisravana) reveals that it was dedicated on the seventh day of the third month of 1162 CE, and it was kept at the Jurinin Jibutsudo Hall of the now defunct Nakanogawa [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) in [Nara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nara/), [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/). It is one of the most prominent works from the late [Heian period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian_Period/) in the 12th century CE. With inlaid crystal eyes, which were a new technique at the time, this statue boass a style that seems fresh even today. This is one of the earliest [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) statues to use inlaid crystal eyes for a realistic and stunning effect. (Tokyo National Museum)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

James Blake Wiener has a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2017, December 19). Japanese Bishamon Ten Scuplture. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7784/japanese-bishamon-ten-scuplture/>
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "Japanese Bishamon Ten Scuplture." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 19, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7784/japanese-bishamon-ten-scuplture/>.
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "Japanese Bishamon Ten Scuplture." *World History Encyclopedia*, 19 Dec 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7784/japanese-bishamon-ten-scuplture/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 19 December 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.