Idaten

Manpukuji, Kyoto

This modern statue depicts Ida-ten (Chinese Wei Tuo), a protector deity who is the Buddhist form of the Hindu warrior god Skanda. The statue is located in a rear aisle of the Tenno-den, behind the statue of Hotei seen in the previous photograph. He is placed there in order to guard Hotei's back, which is the traditional relationship between the two deities.