Zocho-ten, Guardian of the South

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Authors

Emison Museum, DePauw University

Document Type

Image

Publication Date

11-1-1991

Abstract

Zocho-ten, Guardian of the South Japanese, c. 1500 C.E. carved wood with traces of pigment Gift of Arthur E. Klauser '45, 1991.11.139a-b

Comments

Zocho-ten, Guardian King of the South Literally meaning, “lord who expands” or “lord who enlarges,” Zocho-ten’s additional role other than guardian is that of a catalyst for spiritual growth. Portrayed here in his most common pose, he wields a halberd, which he uses to cut away ignorance - one of the “three poisons” of Buddhism and a hindrance to spiritual growth.

Recommended Citation

Museum, Emison, "Zocho-ten, Guardian of the South" (1991). Shidzuo Iikubo '23 Asian Art Gallery. 13, Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/iikubo/13