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Last Update 23 Nov. 2008 = Photo Tour China 5th to 10th Centuries
NIŌ PROTECTORS (Literally BENEVOLENT KINGS)
PROTECT ENTRANCE AT MOST JAPANESE TEMPLES
Emanations of Vajrapani Bodhisattva. Members of the Tenbu.
Represent Alpha & Omega, Beginning & End, Birth & Death.
One with mouth open, the other with mouth closed.
In Japan, also called Kongō Rikishi and Shitsukongō-shin.
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Japanese
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Chinese
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Sanskrit
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Korean
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Tibetan
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仁王, Niō, Nio
(or 二王, Ninnō, Ninō)
-- Agyō 阿形 --
Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士
Naraen Kongō 那羅延金剛
Mouth open uttering "AH"
-- Ungyō 吽形 --
Misshaku Rikishi 密遮力士
Misshaku Kongō 密遮金剛
Mouth shut uttering "UN"
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二王, Èrwáng
Erh-wang
Mouth open
仁王, Rénwáng,
Renwang, Jen-Wang
Mouth shut
Generals Ha & Heng
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Vajrapani
Vajradhara
Vajrayakṣa
Narendra
Narêndra
Narêndra-rāja
भारतीय भाषाएँ
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인왕
Inwang
Iwang
Yiwang
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Chag na dor je, Channa Dorje, Ghuyapati, Sang wa'i dag po
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Last Update Nov. 23, 2008
Photo Tour = Longmen Caves (China), 5th to 10th Century
Nio Products Added to Our eStore
 
L = Agyō 阿形 (mouth open) R = Ungyō 吽形 (mouth closed)
At Hase Dera, Kamakura; Modern
 
L = Agyō 阿形 (mouth open) R = Ungyō 吽形 (mouth closed)
At Sanjūsangendō 三十三間堂, Kyoto
12th Century, Life Size Wooden Statues
Scanned from Sanjūsangendō Brochure
Agyō 阿形, AH-gyo, Agyo, Agyou, Naraen Kongō 那羅延金剛
Manifestation of Vairocana (Dainichi Nyorai).
Shown with mouth open. Known as General "HA" in China.
Ungyō 吽形, Ungyo, Ungyou, Misshaku Kongō 密遮金剛
Manifestation of the Hindu God Vishnu.
Shown with mouth closed. Known as General "HENG" in China.
  INTRODUCTION. Hindu Gods incorporated into Buddhism as protectors against evil spirits. If you look at their mouths, you will notice that one has its mouth open, representing the beginning of the universe. The other has its mouth closed, representing the end of the universe. The most famous Niō in Japan can be found at the entrance gate of Tōdaiji Temple 東大寺 in Nara. These 26-feet-tall statues were made in 1203 AD, reportedly under the direction of the famous sculpture Unkei.
The Niō (Jp. = Benevolent Kings) are a pair of protectors who stand guard outside the temple gate at most Japanese Buddhist temples, one on either side of the entrance. In Japan, the gate itself is often called the Nio-mon (literally Nio Gate). At some Buddhist temples, the Nio guardians are replaced with a pair of mythical and magical Shishi Lion-Dogs -- one with mouth open, the other closed.
The Nio's fierce and threatening appearance is said to ward off evil spirits and keeps the temple ground free of demons and thieves. In some accounts, the Nio were said to have followed and protected the historical Buddha when he traveled throughout India. They have since been adopted by the Japanese into the Japanese Buddhist pantheon. Each is named after a particular cosmic sound. The open-mouthed figure is called "Agyo," who is uttering the sound "ah," meaning birth. His closed-mouth partner is called "Ungyo," who sounds "un" or "om," meaning death. Other explanations for the open/closed mouth include:
- Mouth open to scare off demons, closed to shelter/keep in the good spirits
- "Ah" is the first sound in the Japanese alphabet, while "N" (pronounced "un" ) is the last, so the combination symbolically represents all possible outcomes (from alpha to omega) in the cosmic dance of existence. The first letter in Sanskrit is "Ah" as well, but the last is "Ha." Nonetheless, the first and last sounds produced by the mouth are "Ah" (mouth open) and "M" (mouth closed). The Japanese "n" and the Sanskrit "m" sound exactly the same when hummed with mouth closed. The spiritual Sanskrit term AHAM thus encapsulates the first letter-sound "A," the last letter-sound "HA," and the final sound "M" when the mouth is closed.
 
Shitsukongō-shin 執金剛神 and Closeup
Clay 塑像 with paint (saishiki 彩色), H = 173.9
Tōdaiji Temple 東大寺, Nara Era
Photos by Ogawa Kōzō
Says the Flammarion Iconograhic Guide: "These two guardian kings are Vajradharas (lit. holders of vajras, thunderbolt holders, called Shukongo-jin or Shitsukongou-shin in Japan). Or they may be a type of Raksa (man-eating demons of Indian folklore). In Esoteric Buddhism, they represent two aspects of Vairocana (Dainichi Nyorai). In this respect, they are sometimes confused with the wrathful forms of Fudo Myoo and Aizen Myoo. Although similar to these latter forms, they are in fact distinct from them." <end quote from Flammarion Guide>
Nio Products in Our eStore
 
Above:
Ungyō 吽形 (L) Agyō 阿形 (R)
Sugimoto Dera, Kamakura, Date Unknown
Wooden Life size Statues
 
(L) Agyō 阿形 at Sugimoto Dera, Kamakura
(R) Ungyō 吽形 at Sugimoto Dera, Kamakura
ABOVE PHOTOS: These two guardians at Sugimoto Dera in Kamakura protect the temple's main treasure, a statue of the Kannon - Goddess of Mercy. Sugimoto is the first temple on the Bando Pilgrimage to 33 Sites Sacred to Kannon, and was established in the 9th century. Photos by Mark Schumacher.
KONGO RIKISHI -- needs confirmation !
One of the most famous Niō pairs can be found at the entrance gate of Tōdaiji Temple 東大寺 in Nara. The 26-foot-tall statues at Tōdaiji were made in 1203 AD, reportedly under the direction of the famous sculptures Unkei and Kaikei. They represent the Vajra god in two forms; one is masculine with mouth tightly closed; the other is feminine with mouth open. (Editor's Note: need to determine if pair represents male and female forms)
 
Agyō 阿形 H = 836.3 cm
Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士 (Kongou, Kongo)
Wood with Paint (Saishiki 彩色)
Made by the famous Kei school of sculptors.
(including Unkei and Kaikei) in the Kamakura Era.
Tōdaiji Temple 東大寺 (Toudaiji, Todaiji), Nara.
 
Ungyō 吽形 H = 842.3 cm
Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士 (Kongou, Kongo)
Wood with Paint (Saishiki 彩色)
Made by the famous Kei school of sculptors.
(including Unkei and Kaikei) in the Kamakura Era.
Tōdaiji Temple 東大寺 (Toudaiji, Todaiji), Nara.
Agyō 阿形
14th Century, Kamakura Era
Photo taken at Smithsonian, D.C.
Originally created to stand guard outside the entrance to
Ebaradera, a temple located in Sakai City, near Osaka
 
Agyō 阿形 H = 378 cm
Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士 (Kongou, Kongo)
Clay (sozō 塑像) with paint (saishiki 彩色)
Nara Era, 711 AD (Wadō Period Year 4)
Hōryūji Temple 法隆寺 in Nara
 
Ungyō 吽形 H = 375 cm
Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士 (Kongou, Kongo)
Clay (sozō 塑像) with paint (saishiki 彩色)
Nara Era, 711 AD (Wadō Period Year 4)
Hōryūji Temple 法隆寺 in Nara
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 Below text from
Minneapolis Institute of Art
www-artsmia.org
According to a Japanese story, there once was a king who had two wives. His first wife bore a thousand children who all decided to become monks and follow the Buddha's law. His second wife had only two sons. The youngest was named Non-o and helped his monk brothers with their worship. The eldest, Kongorikishi, however, had a much more aggressive personality. He vowed to protect the Buddha and his worshipers by fighting against evil and ignorance. Kongorikishi was the first of the heavenly kings, called Nio (or Kongo). The second is called Shukongoshin. Within the generally pacifist traditions of Buddhism, stories of Nio guardians like Kongorikishi justified the use of physical force to protect cherished values and beliefs against evil.
Other Naming Conventions
In Japan, the Nio guardian figures are named Misshaku Kongo (Agyo) and Naraen Kongo (Ungyo). They represent the use of overt power and latent power, respectively. Naraen is also called Narayana (Sanskrit).
Conceived as a pair, the Nio complement each other. Misshaku represents overt power, baring his teeth and raising his fist in action, while Naraen represents latent might, holding his mouth tightly closed and waiting with both arms tensed but lowered.
Gigaku Mask Photos courtesy GAKUGEKI KAMEN
Kongo: Open mouth, plus topknot.
Rikishi: Closed mouth, no topknot.
 
Japanese Spelling for the Nio Protectors
(L) Ungyo and (R) Agyo
 
(L) Ungyō and (R) Agyō
Click any image above to see larger photo.
ABOVE: Wooden life-size statues at
Jufukuji Zen Temple, Kamakura
Agyō at Sanjūsangendō 三十三間堂, Kyoto
12th Century, Life-size Wooden Statue
Scanned from Temple Brochure
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Vajrapani
Mogao Caves, Dunhuang
Tang Dynasty (9th C)
Ink and colors on silk
H = 72 cm, W = 17 cm
Palais du Louvre (Paris)
No. EO.1172b
Scanned from Book
ISBN 7-5054-0716-3/J-0396
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Vajrapani
Below text courtesy Jeff Watt
www.hikyaku.com/dico/histxtg21.html
Watt-san is the Director of Himalayanart.org
Mahasthamaprapta & Vajrapani
Kongo Rikishi, same as Vajrapani
Misshaku also known as Guhyapati
Tibetan: sang wa'i dag po
Vajrapani (or Vajradara) means "thunderbolt holder" in Sanskrit. Vajrapani is the keeper of all tantras of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Kongorikishi is a Hindu god who has accepted to become a guardian of Buddhism. He frequently appears as two angry warriors at the gate of Japanese temples: Mitsushaku Kongo stands on the left and carries a thunderbolt stick while Naraen Kongo is on the right with a saber. The statues created by Unkei and Kaikei and located at the south main gate of Todaiji temple (Kyoto) are a master piece of Kamakura sculpture. Vajrapani or Vajradara means "thunderbolt stick holder" in Sanskrit.
Vajrapani, dark blue in colour with one face and two hands, appears in the form of a raksha (a daemon of classical Indian mythology) with three large staring eyes, a gaping mouth with bared canine teeth and orange beard, eyebrows and hair flowing upward like flame. The body is squat, large and fleshy. Adorned with a crown of five skulls with red pendants and gold earrings, bone necklace and bracelets, anklets, and a large green snake, he wears a long green scarf and a lower garment of tiger skin tied with a green sash. With the right leg bent and the left extended above a sun disc and multi-coloured lotus Vajrapani stands in the middle of the blazing fire of pristine awareness. Placed in front as an offering, framed by two ivory elephant tusks, an assortment of wishing jewels are arranged on a plain green landscape - painted in the style of Eastern Tibet.
At the top left is a seated buddha, yellow in colour with the right hand performing the mudra of 'earth witness' and the left placed in the mudra of meditation; seated in vajra posture above a moon disc and lotus. At the right is the deity of purification, Vajrasattva, white in colour with one face and two hands holding a vajra in the right held to the heart and with the left an upturned bell in the lap. Adorned with a crown, jewel ornaments and variously coloured silk garments he sits in the vajra posture above a moon disc and lotus seat.
Vajrapani represents the power aspect of complete enlightenment, and is known as Guhyapati (Tibetan: sang wa'i dag po). He is the 'Lord of Secrets' -- the keeper of all the tantras of Vajrayana Buddhism. As a bodhisattva, like Manjushri and Avalokiteshvara, he dwells on the 10th bodhisattva level just prior to attaining complete buddhahood. In actuality all three were completely enlightened aeons ago and only appear, for the sake of training others, in the guise of bodhisattvas.
Vajrapani is common to all Schools of Tibetan Buddhism and has numerous forms and practices which span all sets of tantric classification and levels of complexity from a solitary aspect up to the large and complex mandala with many deities.
Above text written by Jeff Watt 7-98
(Jeff-san curates: www.himalayanart.org)
NOTES: Fudo Myo-o and Aizen Myo-o are sometimes mistakenly identified with the Nio Protectors. Says the Flammarion Iconograhic Guide: "In Esoteric Buddhism, the Nio pair represent two aspects of Vairocana (Dainichi Nyorai). In this respect, they are sometimes confused with the wrathful forms of Fudo Myoo and Aizen Myoo. Although similar to these latter forms, they are in fact distinct from them, and are named Garbhavira and Vajravira." <end quote from Flammarion Guide>
 
Agyō 阿形
Also spelled Agyo or Agyō
One of the Nio, or Kongōrikishi 金剛力士
Standing, H = 326.3 cm
Hollow Dry Lacquer (Jp. = Dakkatsu Kanshitsu 脱活乾漆)
Tōdaiji Temple 東大寺, Nara Era
Photos by Ogawa Kōzō
 
Agyō 阿形 H = 154 cm
Also spelled Agyo or Agyō
Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士 (Kongou, Kongo)
Wood, with paint applied.
Kamakura Era, Kōfukuji Temple 興福寺
Scanned from Temple Brochure
 
Ungyō 吽形 H = 153.7 cm
Also spelled Ungyo or Ungyō
Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士 (Kongou, Kongo)
Wood, with paint applied.
Kamakura Era, Kōfukuji Temple 興福寺
Scanned from Temple Brochure
Vajrapani
Mogao Hidden Library, Dunhuang, China
Power and anger personified.
Late 9th Century, Tang Dynasty
Ink and colors on silk
H = 79.5 cm, W = 25.5 cm
British Museum, Stein Painting 132
Scanned from Book
ISBN 7-5054-0716-3/J-0396
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PHOTO TOUR. Niō Statues at the Longmen Grottoes 龍門石窟 in China, plus a few from other locations. Longmen is located near Luoyang City, Henan Province, China. The Longmen Grottoes (lit. = Dragon Gate Grottoes) were designated a World Heritage Site in November 2000. The Longmen caves and cliff sculptures of Buddhist divinities are an outstanding example of China's artistic impulse to carve in stone. The grottoes and niches were created in phases over the centuries, with the oldest dating back to the last 5th century (Northern Wei Dynasty 386 - 534 AD), and the most recent completed in the 10th century (Tang Dynasty 618 - 907 AD). This long time span provides art historians and art lovers with a wonderous snapshot of China's changing artistic styles and the influence of India and Central Asia on China's Buddhist artwork. The grottoes are situated on both sides of the Yi River, and include some 2,300 caves and niches, more than 100,000 Buddhist images, and more than 2,800 inscriptions. Sadly, numerous statues were damaged in domestic anti-Buddhism campaigns in prior centuries, and most recently by massive looting and destruction between 1907 - 1938 by Chinese and foreigners alike. Many pieces found there way into museums in Germany, France, England, America, and Japan. The Chinese government continues to petition these nations and their museums for the return of said artifacts, but to no avail. Nonetheless, the Longmen Grottoes are still a wonder to behold. Many believe that Longmen represents the zenith of stone carving in China. It, along with the stone carvings found at Dunhuang 敦煌 (Mogao Caves 莫高窟) and at Datong 大同 (Yungang Grottoes 雲崗石窟), exemplifies the unrivavled beauty of cave art and cliff statuary in early China. (Simplified Chinese = 龙门石窟 Lóngmén Shíkū; Jp = 龍門 Ryūmon).
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