Idaten　韋駄天

KEY WORD :　art history / iconography

Also written 違駄天. The Indian deity Skanda, son of Siva and general of his army, who became a protector of the Dharma in Buddhism. The names Sukanda 塞建駄, Shikenda 私建陀, Kenda 建陀, and Ida shougun 韋駄将軍 (General Ida) are also used. Idaten is mentioned in the sutras KONKOUMYOUKYOU 金光明経 and DAIHATSUNEHANKYOU 大般涅槃経 , but his appearance is not described. It is thought that in China he was conflated with a famous Chinese general and that his characteristic appearance ,wearing armor, with a sword or baton resting on his forearms and his hands clasped together in *gasshou 合掌, is derived from this. Although in Buddhist texts Idaten is a protector of Buddhist teachings, in various parts of China, especially in Zen, he was considered a protector of monasteries and monks. In Japan he was enshrined in Zen living quarters and kitchens. The oldest example of his image is the Song dynasty sculpture to the right of the sharihoutou 舎利宝塔 (see *sharitou 舎利塔) in the *shariden 舎利殿 of Sennyuuji 泉涌寺 in Kyoto, which was brought to Japan from China by Tankai 湛海 in 1255 along with relics from Taishan (Jp: Taizan 泰山) and Bailiansi (Jp: Byakurenji 白蓮寺). Idaten has a close relationship with relics because of the story that while guarding the Buddha's ashes a demon tried to steal them, whereupon he chased the demon away and retrieved the ashes. Other examples include the Kamakura period sculpture in Osshinji 乙津寺 in Gifu prefecture, the sculpture in Manpukuji 萬福寺, Kyoto; possibly made by the Chinese artist Fan Daosheng (Jp: Han Dousei 笵道生, 1637-70) who was active at Manpukuji, and the Kamakura period painting at Sennyuuji.

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