Tentōki and Ryūtōki

{{Short description|Supernatural demon-like characters in Japanese folklore}}

{{multiple image

| background color = #fff

| width=140

| image_style = border:none;

| footer_background = #fff

| header =

| image1=

| image2=

| footer = Tentōki and Ryūtōki by Kōben, National Treasure of Japan, c. 1215–16

}}

Tentōki and Ryūtōki (木造天燈鬼立像 mokuzō tentōki ritsuzō) and (木造竜燈鬼立像 mokuzō ryūtōki ritsuzō) are a pair of demon-like creatures in Japanese folklore. They are usually depicted as small oni, and symbolize the power of the Shitennō to repel and defeat evil.{{cite web|url=http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shitenno.shtml|title=SHITENNŌ in Japanese Art|accessdate=2012-07-10}}

Kōben sculpted notable statues of Tentōki and Ryūtōki, each considered a National Treasure of Japan, carrying lanterns as offering to the Historical Buddha at Kōfuku-ji in Nara.{{cite web

| last = Schumacher

| first = Mark

| title = Ishidoro

| publisher = Japanese Buddhist Statuary

| accessdate = 2009-09-16

| year = 2009

| url = http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/ishidoro.shtml

}}