Rikishi　力士

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

Ch: Lishi. A gigaku mask *gigakumen 伎楽面 representing the Buddhist guardian king Rikishi. In the gigaku skit, performed from the 7-12c in Japan, Rikishi appears first as the partner to *Kongou 金剛 and follower of *Gokou 呉公, the Man of Wu. Later he reappears to catch the lustful *Kuron 崑崙 who is making approaches to the Maid of Wu *Gojo 呉女, ropes his penis and drags him around before sending him away. Rikishi's broad, muscular face converges in a small protruding nose. Eyebrows flare back and his hair is pulled up into a topknot. This high, broad forehead tenses to show veins and ligaments. Teeth clench in a smile. He personifies vigor and assertive energy. Rikishi are often paired with the gigaku mask Kongou, the two being of similar conception. Generally the one with the mouth closed is identified as Rikishi. See *Niou 仁王.

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