jû (ten)
ni (two)
jûni (twelve)
ten (heavens, sky)

---

jû (ten)
ni (two)
jûni (twelve)
dai (great, large, big)
ten (heavens, sky)
shû (masses, great numbers, the people)

---

❖ ten (Skt: deva)
❖ Twelve heavenly beings
❖ Guardians of the twelve directions in mikkyô (Japanese Esoteric Buddhism)

bon (Sanskrit, purity, Buddhist)
ten (heavens, sky)
bon-ten (Skt: Brahma)

---

❖ Heaven deva
❖ Direction – up

tai | tei (sovereign, god, creator)
shaku (explanation)
ten (heavens, sky)
taishaku-ten (Skt: Indra)

---

❖ Lord of deva
❖ Lord of the Center
❖ Direction – east
❖ Commands the shi-tennô

sui (water)
ten (heavens, sky)
sui-ten (Skt: Varuna)

---

❖ Water deva
❖ Direction – west

bi (help, assist)
sha | sa (sand)
mon (gate)
ten (heavens, sky)
bishamon-ten (Skt: Vaisravana)

---

❖ Wealth
❖ Direction – north
❖ (See shichi-fuku-jin)

en (town)
ma (witch, demon, evil spirit)
ten (heavens, sky)
enma-ten (Skt: Yama)

---

❖ Direction – south
❖ (See emma-ô)

ka (fire)
ten (heavens, sky)
ka-ten (Skt: Agni)

---

❖ Fire deva
❖ Direction – southeast

ra (gauze, thin silk)
setsu (temple)
ten (heavens, sky)
rasetsu-ten (Skt: Raksasa)

---

❖ Demon that when first introduced to Buddhism, later became guardian deity
❖ Direction – southwest

i (that one / ateji)
sha (cottage, inn, hut, house / ateji)
na (what? / ateji)
ishana-ten (Skt: Isana)

---

❖ Dharma (behaviors that are in accord with the order that makes life and universe possible)
❖ Direction – northeast

fu (wind, air)
ten (heavens, sky)
fu-ten (Skt: Vayu)

---

❖ Wind deva
❖ Direction – northwest

nit | nitsu (day, sun)
ten (heavens, sky)
nitten (Skt: Aditya)

---

❖ Sun deva

gat | gatsu (month, moon)
ten (heavens, sky)
gatten (Skt: Candra)

---

❖ Moon deva

ji (ground, earth)
ten (heavens, sky)
ji-ten (Skt: Prthivi)

---

❖ Earth deva
❖ Direction – down