BISHAMON OR BISHAMONTEN

One of theshichi-fuku-jin. He is of Indian Buddhist origin (Sanskrit: Vaishravana), one of the shi-tenno (Four Heavenly Kings) and a symbol of authority. According to Buddhist lore he lives in the fourth layer of Mt. Sumeru, the mountain at the centre of the world, and protects the northern quarter and the preaching-place of the Buddha. He is represented as a fierce warrior in full armour with a spear in one hand and a 'treasure tower' or pagoda in the other.