Vaishravana (Bishamonten), Guardian King of the North Artist Not Known Edo Period (1615-1868), Japan 1615-1700 Statue of gold and colored paint on lacquered wood with ornate and intricate carvings . Asian Art Museum, Civic Center, San Francisco Bishamonten stands proud with one foot firmly stamped on a demon; In his left hand he holds a miniature stupa and in his right a golden spear pointed towards the sky. This piece has an ethereal appearance, is handsomely ornate and divinely crafted. The rich attention to detail is exquisite and represents a fundamental design aspect of Japanese art and culture. His face has a menacing look as his eyes look downward. When you look into his eyes they look so fierce, it's like he's judging your soul. His arms are raised in a battle stance and the pose makes the art appear as if it is moving and alive. He wears multiple layers of celestial robes and belts colored in various shades of blue. Over his robes is heavy armor colored red, yellow, and dark blue. He is depicted as otherworldly, while his body proportions are realistic, his other features are not based in reality. For example, his eyes have no pupils and he is facing a demon. The pedestal of the statue is carved into free organic shapes, beneath the demon, resembling clouds. These feelings of divination, levitation and celestial presence give the art a divine quality. It is a statue representing the Buddhist god Bishamonten (guardian king of the north), of wealth, victory and good luck. In his right hand he holds a stupa which symbolizes the knowledge of Buddhism and the attainment of enlightenment. The spear he holds and the position he holds it on display... in the center of the paper... one. Even though her pose is unbalanced, it remains very neat. The top of the head aligns perfectly with the facial features, the navel and the ground, confirming the presence of unaxis mundi. This gives it a divine quality because organic forms do not reach such perfection. It is a three-dimensional freestanding sculpture and has a complex shape, especially when silhouetted. The motifs and aesthetics of this piece are highly stylized. The pose of this sculpture has a very active movement and conveys a sense of fluidity and control. The warrior god appears powerful, sober and delicate at the same time. This depiction offers captivating qualities of Buddhist enlightenment, the highest level of self-control over physical and mental abilities. The sculpture was delicately carved out of wood. This gives it a natural aesthetic