Tenjin

CultureJapanese
Titles
  • Tenjin
Date12th century
PlaceJapan
MediumCamphor wood, with traces of pigment
DimensionsHeight: 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number67.10
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Asian Art
Object Type
Description

Tenjin is the Shinto god of scholarship, literature, and calligraphy. It is believed that Tenjin is the deified form of Sugawara no Michizane. Revered as a great politician and scholar of Chinese, Michizane (845–903) served as the Heian court ambassador to China during China’s Tang dynasty.


In 901, Michizane was exiled and demoted as a result of a conspiracy hatched by his rivals in the Fujiwara family. After his death, many natural disasters wrecked havoc on Kyoto. These events were attributed to Michizane’s angry ghost. In order to appease the incensed spirit, the emperor renamed him Karai Tenjin, which translates to God of Fire and Thunder, and built a shrine in his memory at Kitano


ProvenanceResearch Ongoing
Exhibition HistoryExhibited: Esso Eastern Inc., Houston TX., Oct 8 - 31 1971(LN:71.16)

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Figure of a Buddhist Patron
4th century
Stucco with traces of red pigment
91.314
Seated Ballplayer
600–900 AD
Earthenware with traces of polychrome pigment
2013.291
Ballplayer
600–900 AD
Earthenware with traces of polychrome pigment
2013.292
Standing Warrior
600–900 AD
Earthenware with traces of polychrome pigment
65.151
Seated Woman
300–600 AD
Earthenware with traces of polychrome pigment
65.193
Ballplayer
600–900 AD
Earthenware with slip and traces of polychrome pigment
2007.1185
Seated Female
600–900 AD
Earthenware with traces of polychrome pigment
2014.252
Deity Impersonator
300 BC–300 AD
Earthenware with traces of polychrome pigment
2014.6.A,.B
Figurine of a Court Lady
8th century
Ceramic with traces of red and black pigment
92.194
Water Well
206 BC–220 AD
Ceramic, traces of pigment
73.63.A-.C
Amida
Koei (Unkei IX)
1472
Wood with traces of polychrome
92.193
Mask (Bwame society)
1850–1990
Wood with traces of pigment including kaolin, ochre, and indigo
91.1476