NARA--A special exhibition of statues of the Buddhist god Bishamonten selected from temples and museums opened at the Nara National Museum here on Feb. 4.

The show, “Bishamonten--Guardian of the North,” displays 37 sculptures, including two national treasures and 18 important cultural properties designated by the central government.

Reporters were allowed a sneak preview of the collection on Feb. 3.

“The cream of the crop representing the Nara Period (710-784) to the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) were brought together for the show,” said Shigeki Iwata, a senior researcher at the museum. “I hope that visitors can enjoy the variety of Bishamonten statues.”

Bishamonten, also known as Tamonten, is the defender of Buddhist Law and guardian of the northern direction. It is also believed to be the guardian of trainees and bless people with good fortune in Japan.

The sculpture most likely to draw attention at the exhibition is a national treasure from Kuramadera temple in Kyoto, on public display for the first time in 50 years.

A Bishamonten is typically represented by an armored warrior holding a pagoda in his left hand.

But the one from Kuramadera is set apart from the others with the warrior's left hand on his forehead, a pose interpreted as overlooking ancient Kyoto that sprawls to the south from the temple.

Another piece making a rare appearance is a statue standing more than 2 meters on loan from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The thickset figure with ornate decoration formerly used to be kept at an old temple in Shimane Prefecture before it came into the possession of a private collector. Now it is kept at the museum.

The exhibition will run through March 22, except on Mondays and Feb. 25. It will be open on Feb. 24. The show was organized by the museum, The Asahi Shimbun and other entities.

Admission is 1,500 yen ($14) for adults, 1,000 yen for high school and college students and 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students.