Large Buddhist mandala painting, Japan, Edo period (1603-1868) Ink and polychrome on paper, depicting in mandala style, a set of Buddhist and Shinto religious deities with at its center one of the four Shitennō (four celestial kings protecting the four directions), known as Tamonten - 多聞天, the guardian of the north and protector of the holy places where the Buddha dispenses his teachings. Jikusaki (end caps) in gilded and chased copper with lotus decoration. Image size: 133 x 78.5 cm Wear, traces of humidity, tears. The four kings quickly acquired great importance in the protective rites of the Japanese nation. However, over the following centuries, Tamonten became the object of an independent cult, supplanting the other three in importance. When worshipped independently, he is called Bishamonten. He is surrounded by numerous other deities from the Japanese religious pantheon, including rakkan, monks and Shinto deities.