# Twelve Devas

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{{Short description|12 Japanese Buddhist gods, associated with directions}}
{{Multiple image
| title             = Twelve Devas<br><small>(14th-/15th-century hanging scrolls)</small>
| image1            = Unknown (Japan) - Taishakuten - 79.2.6 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption1          = Taishakuten
| image2            = Unknown (Japan) - Katen - 79.2.3 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption2          = Katen
| image3            = Unknown (Japan) - Enmaten - 79.2.7 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption3          = Enmaten
| image4            = Unknown (Japan) - Rasetsuten - 79.2.10 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption4          = Rasetsuten
| direction         = horizontal
| total_width       = 200
| perrow            = 2/2/2/2/2/2 
| image5            = Unknown (Japan) - Suiten - 79.2.2 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption5          = Suiten 
| image6            = Unknown (Japan) - Fūten - 79.2.4 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption6          = Futen
| image7            = Unknown (Japan) - Bishamonten - 79.2.9 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption7          = Bishamonten 
| image8            = Unknown (Japan) - Izanaten - 79.2.5 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption8          = Ishanaten 
| image9            = Unknown (Japan) - Bonten - 79.2.8 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption9          = Bonten
| image10            = Unknown (Japan) - Jiten - 79.2.1 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption10          = Jiten
| image11            = Unknown (Japan) - Nitten - 79.2.11 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption11          = Nitten 
| image12            = Unknown (Japan) - Gatten - 79.2.12 - Minneapolis Institute of Art.jpg
| caption12          = Gatten 
}}thumb|Twelve Deva Mandala, Kokubunji, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan
The '''Twelve Devas''' or '''''Juniten''''' ({{langx|ja|十二天}}, ''Jūniten'' or {{langx|ja|十二大天衆}}, ''Jūnidaitenju'') are twelve [Japanese Buddhist](/source/Japanese_Buddhist) guardian [deities](/source/Tenbu) (''devas'' or ''ten''), associated with directions and celestial bodies.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - The Twelve Devas |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?langId=en&webView=&content_base_id=100031&content_part_id=0&content_pict_id=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp |publisher=[National Institutes for Cultural Heritage](/source/National_Institutes_for_Cultural_Heritage)}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kyoto National Museum |url=https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/collection/meihin/butsuga/item05/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Kyoto National Museum |language=en}}</ref> They are essentially [Hindu gods](/source/Hindu_deities), incorporated in [Japanese Esoteric Buddhism](/source/Mikky%C5%8D) (''Mikkyō'').<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=JAANUS / juuniten 十二天 |url=https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/j/juuniten.htm |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aisf.or.jp |publisher=Atsumi International Scholarship Foundation}}</ref>

Initially, the group consisted of [eight deities](/source/Guardians_of_the_directions) called ''Happoten'' or ''Happouten'' ({{langx|ja|八方天}}), associated with the four cardinal and four semi-cardinal directions. Later, the deities of Heaven (Zenith) and Earth (Nadir) were added, making the group of ten – ''Jitten'' ({{langx|ja|十天}}). Finally, the Sun and the Moon deities joined the group to form the Twelve Devas.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kodama |first1=Giryū |title=印と梵字ご利益・功徳事典 聖なる象徴に表された諸尊の姿と仏の教え (In to bonji goriyaku / kudoku jiten: sei naru shōchō ni hyōsareta shoson no sugata to hotoke no oshie) |date=2009 |publisher=Gakken Publishing |page=256|isbn=9784054041875 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Y5-pwj_3x0C}}</ref>

The Twelve Devas are depicted together in a group, generally in paintings on folding screens which are used in esoteric rituals.

== List ==
The Twelve Devas are:<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!No
!Name
!Japanese
!Sanskrit Name
!Hindu equivalent
!Seed ([Bīja]){{Clarify|reason=What does "Seed" mean here?|date=July 2025}}
!Direction/Association
|-
|1
|[Taishakuten](/source/%C5%9Aakra_(Buddhism))
|{{lang|ja|帝釈天}}
|{{translit|sa|Indra/Śakra }}
|[Indra](/source/Indra)
|frameless|50x50px
|East
|-
|2
|Katen 
|火天
|Agni
|[Agni](/source/Agni)
|frameless|50x50px
|Southeast, Fire
|-
|3
|[Enmaten](/source/Yama_(Buddhism))
|焔魔天
|Yama
|[Yama](/source/Yama)
|frameless|50x50px
|South
|-
|4
|Rasetsuten 
|羅刹天 
|Rākṣasa/Nirṛti
|[Rakshasa](/source/Rakshasa)/[Nirrti](/source/Nir%E1%B9%9Bti)
|frameless|50x50px
|Southwest
|-
|5
|Suiten 
|水天
|Varuṇa
|[Varuna](/source/Varuna)
|frameless|50x50px
|West, Water
|-
|6
|Futen (Fuuten)
|風天
|Vāyu
|[Vayu](/source/Vayu)
|frameless|50x50px
|Northwest, Wind
|-
|7
|[Bishamonten](/source/Vai%C5%9Brava%E1%B9%87a)
|毘沙門天
|Vaiśravaṇa
|[Kubera](/source/Kubera) (Vaisravana)
|frameless|50x50px
|North
|-
|8
|[Ishanaten](/source/Shiva_in_Buddhism) (Izanaten)
|伊舎那天
|Iśana
|[Ishana](/source/Ishana)/[Shiva](/source/Shiva)<ref>{{Cite web |title=JAANUS / Daijizaiten 大自在天 |url=https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/d/daijizaiten.htm |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aisf.or.jp}}</ref>
|frameless|50x50px
|Northeast
|-
|9
|[Bonten](/source/Brahm%C4%81_(Buddhism))
|梵天
|Brahma(n)
|[Brahma](/source/Brahma)
|frameless|50x50px
|Zenith/Heaven
|-
|10
|Jiten 
|地天
|Pṛthivī
|[Prithvi](/source/Prithvi)
|frameless|50x50px
|Nadir/Earth
|-
|11
|[Nitten](/source/S%C5%ABryaprabha)
|日天
|Sūrya/Āditya
|[Surya](/source/Surya)
|frameless|50x50px
|Sun
|-
|12
|[Gatten](/source/Candraprabha)
|月天
|Candra
|[Chandra](/source/Chandra)
|frameless|50x50px
|Moon
|}

== History and functions ==
The Twelve Devas functioned as guardians of Esoteric Buddhist monasteries.<ref name=":1" /> They are generally represented as a group in paintings.<ref name=":2" /> The earliest known Japanese paintings of the Twelve Devas are found in [Saidaiji Temple](/source/Saidai-ji), Nara (early [Heian period](/source/Heian_period)).<ref name=":0" /> Another set is found in [Toji Temple](/source/T%C5%8D-ji) in Kyoto, where they were used for esoteric rituals like the Latter Seven Days Ritual (''Goshichinichi no Mishiho'') for the New Year.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> During the late Heian period (794–1185), a procession of beings, wearing the masks of the Twelve Devas (''juuniten men,'' 十二天面) was part of esoteric initiation rites. Later from the 12th century,<ref name=":2" /> the same was replaced by paintings of the deities, standing in pairs on six-panelled folding screens called ''juuniten byoubu'' (十二天屏風) during the initiation rituals (''abhiṣeka).''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

The Twelve Devas also appear in the [mandala](/source/mandala)s - ''Taizoukai mandara, juuniten mandara'' and ''Anchin mandara.''<ref name=":2" />

== Iconography ==
Early images of the Twelve Devas depict them seated on animals (''choujuuza''; e.g, Saidaji) or seated on felt pedestals and with two attendants (e.g., Toji, now in Kyoto National Museum).<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Later paintings on folding screens usually depict them standing, sometimes on lotus pedestals.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

Taishakuten (the king of gods - Indra) and Bonten (the creator god Brahma) are two major Hindu deities who are often depicted as the protector of [the Buddha](/source/the_Buddha), after assimilation in Buddhism. In Buddhism, Taishakuten is the [king of the gods](/source/king_of_the_gods) and ruler of the [Trāyastriṃśa](/source/Tr%C4%81yastri%E1%B9%83%C5%9Ba) Heaven. Both deities are depicted dressed as [Bodhisattvas](/source/Bodhisattvas). Both are depicted in life-events of the Buddha, on his either side, almost indistinguishable from each other.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=JAANUS / Taishakuten 帝釈天 |url=https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/t/taishakuten.htm |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aisf.or.jp}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=JAANUS / Bonten 梵天 |url=https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/b/bonten.htm |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aisf.or.jp}}</ref>

In other depictions, Taishakuten is depicted as martial figure with a thunderbolt ([vajra](/source/vajra)) in his right hand and left hand on his hip. He may be seated on an elephant.<ref name=":3" />

Bonten may be depicted with one or four heads.<ref name=":0" /> He has a third eye and four arms, holding a [fly whisk](/source/Fly-whisk), a lotus, a staff and hand with palm out. He may be seated on a pedestal of four geese.<ref name=":4" />

Katen (lit. "fire deva") is generally depicted as a serious-faced, aged hermit. His hair and beard are white. His complexion may be red. He is surrounded by a flaming aureole. He may have two or four arms. In his four arms, he generally holds a bamboo stick with some leaves or a staff, a fiery triangle, a rosary and a water vessel. He may ride a blue sheep.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Katen (Skt., Agni) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=007&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2024-08-29 |title=Images of Ka-ten (Agni) in Japan |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/buddhism/essay/buddhist-iconography-comparative-study/d/doc1457189.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |publisher=[National Institutes for Cultural Heritage](/source/National_Institutes_for_Cultural_Heritage)}}</ref>

The compassionate-faced Enmaten holds a [staff with a head at the top](/source/Kha%E1%B9%ADv%C4%81%E1%B9%85ga); his other arm is bent with the palm outwards. He may ride a buffalo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Enmaten (Skt., Yama) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=006&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=JAANUS / Enmaten 焔魔天 |url=https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/e/enmaten.htm |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aisf.or.jp}}</ref>

Rasetsuten or Nirichi is the king of the demonic ''rasetsu'' (''[Rakshasa](/source/Rakshasa)''). He may be seated on a lion. He wears an armour. He may be depicted with a fiery halo. In his right hand, he holds a sword and makes a "sword" ''[mudra](/source/mudra)'' (hand gesture) with his left hand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Rasetsuten (Skt., Raksasa, Nairrti) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=005&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=JAANUS / rasetsu 羅刹 |url=https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/r/rasetsu.htm |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aisf.or.jp}}</ref>

Suiten (lit "water deva") can be depicted as a fair water spirit, in vibrant garments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Suiten (Skt., Varuna) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=004&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref> He may depicted dressed in armour. He may have a snake-noose in his right hand, while the other hand is held against his waist as a fist. He wears a crown of serpents. His complexion may be depicted as light blue. He may be seated on a tortoise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2024-08-29 |title=Images of Sui-ten (Varuna) in Japan |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/buddhism/essay/buddhist-iconography-comparative-study/d/doc1457205.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

Futen (lit. "wind deva") is depicted as an aged man. He holds the scepter of the wind.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Fûten (Skt., Vayu) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=003&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref>

Bishamonten (Tamonten) is clad in armour and holds a jewelled staff (''sansageki'') in his right hand and a jewelled [pagoda](/source/pagoda) (''houtou, [stupa](/source/stupa)'') in the other hand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Bishamonten (Skt., Vaisravana) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=010&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=JAANUS / Bishamonten 毘沙門天 |url=https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/b/bishamonten.htm |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.aisf.or.jp}}</ref>

Ishanaten holds a trident and a bowl, filled with blood.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Ishanaten (Skt., Isana) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=009&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref>

Jiten (lit. "earth deva") or Kenrojin (“solid earth deity”) may hold a vase or flowers in a basket in his hand.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Jiten (Skt., Prthivi) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=012&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref>

Nitten (lit. "sun deva") may be depicted similar to a ''bodhisattva''. He may be seated on a cart pulled by three to seven white horses. He may hold a lotus or a sun disc with a three-legged rooster in it.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Nitten (Skt., Surya) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=002&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nitten, the Sun Deity [one of a set of Twelve Devas], 14th-15th century |url=https://collections.artsmia.org/art/10347/nitten-japan |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=collections.artsmia.org}}</ref>

Gatten (lit. "moon deva") may be depicted similar to a ''bodhisattva''. He may be seated on a white goose. He sometimes holds a crescent moon with a rabbit on it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Museum - Gatten (Skt., Candra) |url=https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?content_base_id=100966&content_part_id=001&content_pict_id=0&langId=en&webView=0 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=emuseum.nich.go.jp}}</ref>

==References==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Twelve Devas (Japanese Buddhism)}}{{Japanese Buddhist Pantheon}}

Category:Japanese gods
Category:Buddhist gods
Category:Buddhism and Hinduism

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Twelve Devas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Devas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Devas?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.