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Gigeiten

The statue of Gigeiten, Akishinodera

Gigeiten (Japanese: 伎芸天) is a minor goddess (deva, ten-nyo) associated with the arts in Japanese Buddhism.[1][2] In addition to the arts, she is also believed to govern fortune and talent.[2]

Gigeiten is also known by several other names, including Gigei Tennyo (ぎげいてんにょ), Daijizaitennyo (大自在天女), and Makeishura Chōshō Tennyo (摩醯首羅頂生天女, lit. "heavenly maiden born from the crown of Maheshvara").[1][2] The latter two names are patronymic in origin, as she is said to have been born from the hair of the deity Daijizaiten (Maheshvara in Sanskrit) while he was playing a musical instrument.[2]

Her original Sanskrit name is unknown.[2] Among the various celestial maidens (tennyo), Gigeiten is said to be the most skilled in music.[2]

Iconography

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A traditional painting of Gigeiten

Gigeiten is depicted as a beautiful young goddess, dressed in white garments, a yoraku garland and bracelets. She holds celestial flowers or a basket of flowers in her raised left hand around her chest, while her right hand fingers the hem of her kimono waist robes.[2][3]

Gigeiten's famous statue is located in Akishinodera temple.[1][3] The statue is listed as "Wooden standing statue of Gigeiten (head made of dry lacquer)" in the Important Cultural Properties of Japan.[4] A Nara era (8th century) dry lacquer head is fitted to the wooden carved body from the Kamakura period (13th century).[3][5] Gigeiten is depicted as a bodhisattva (bosatsu), with the right hand raised and her left hand clinging her garments.[1] Some scholars have questioned the identification of the statue as Gigeiten.[1]

Another notable sculpture of the goddess was made by Takeuchi Kyuichi for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 and is now preserved at Tokyo University of the Arts.[6][3]

Worship

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Gigeiten is regarded as a minor goddess.[1] In esoteric Buddhism, the ritual of Gigei Tennyo-hō is said to grant her favour as mastery in the arts and good fortune; the ritual is prescribed to be performed only if the Shoten-ku in honour of Kangiten has failed to produce the desired benefits.[2][3] Her seed syllable is हुं (huṃ).[2] Her Samaya symbol is a celestial flower or a jewel. Her mudra involves intertwining the ring and middle fingers with hands together; other fingers are curved like a jewel. Her mantra is: "nǎng mó Ma xī shī mó Ra No wēn Sasō Ma mào shì qū No yì xī xì suō mó Ga".[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "JAANUS / Gigeiten 技芸天". www.aisf.or.jp. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "伎芸天（ぎげいてん）". 神魔精妖名辞典 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  3. ^ a b c d e 小項目事典,百科事典マイペディア,世界大百科事典内言及, デジタル大辞泉,精選版 日本国語大辞典,日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ),ブリタニカ国際大百科事典. "伎芸天(ギゲイテン)とは？ 意味や使い方". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ 国指定文化財一覧 [National Cultural Properties] (in Japanese). Nara Prefecture. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  5. ^ "SC., JAPAN, NARA PER.; Gigeiten. Detail: Close full view". History of Art, VRC Image Bank. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  6. ^ "About TAKENOUCHI Kyuichi: Gigeiten (Buddhist celestial being)". www.geidai.ac.jp. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
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