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The Thirteen Buddhas (Juusan Bosatsu) of Shingon Buddhism are meant to enhance one's concentration on specific aspects of the Cosmic Buddha, Dainichi Nyorai.
Text mostly from shingon.org.
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Fudou Myouou
Acala Vidyârâja is one of the Vidyârâjas (Myôôs) class of deities, and a very wrathful deity. He is portrayed holding a sword in his right hand and a coiled rope in his left hand. With this sword of wisdom, Acala cuts through deluded and ignorant minds and with the rope he binds those who are ruled by their violent passions and emotions. He leads them onto the correct path of self control. Acala is also portrayed surrounded by flames, flames which consume the evil and the defilements of this world. He sits on a flat rock which symbolizes the unshakeable peace and bliss which he bestows to the minds and the bodies of his devotees.
Mantra: noumaku sanmanda bazaradan senda makaroshada sowataya un tarata kanman (Jpn.); namah samanta-vajrânâm canda mahârosana sphotaya hûm trat hâm mâm (Skt.); Homage to the all-pervading Vajras! O Violent One of great wrath! Destroy! un tarata kan man
Shaka Nyorai
Shakyamuni, Siddhartha Gautama, is the historical Buddha. His raised left hand represents that he is calling us to come to him in our search for salvation. His right hand rests palm open on his lap. He grasps his thumb with his four fingers, this position represents that the Buddha is holding on tightly to those who have come to him for protection. He is holding them tightly to himself, therefore, they will not wander away into error and danger.
Mantra: noumaku sammanda bodanan baku (Jpn.); Namah samanta-buddhanam bhah. (Skt.); Homage to all the Buddhas! baku
Monju Bosatsu
Mañjusri Bodhisattva (Monju) holds in his left hand a sutra by which he dispenses wisdom to people, and in his right hand holds a sword for cutting off delusion. He sometimes rides on a lion, which is called the king of a hundred animals, and this expresses how he lives grandly with a powerful and correct wisdom.
Mantra: on a rahashanou (Jpn.); Om ara pa ca na. (Skt.)
Fugen Bosatsu
Fugen Bosatsu is the Japanese expression of the bodhisattva Samantabhadra (Jangsem Kuntuzanpo). In his left hand, Samantabhadra holds a lotus blossom. The lotus represents the basic underlying nature of mankind which is pure and undefiled. He sometimes rides on top of an elephant, one of the largest of animals. While it is gentle, the elephant has a strength that exceeds even that of a lion, and thus expresses the compassion of Samantabhadra.
Mantra: on sanmaya satouban (Jpn.); Om sammaya sattvam. (Om samayas tvam.) (Skt.); Om I am (you are) an embodiment of the pledge
Jizo Bosatsu
Jizo Bosatsu is the Japanese expression of the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. This bodhisattva is the protector of the weak, of children, and travelers. He appears gentle with a shaven head, and is depicted as a sravaka disciple, that is, a monk who has left his home. In his right hand Jizô holds a shakujô stick with six rings and by shaking this he awakens us from our deluded dreams. In his left hand he holds a mani jewel, which signifies that he bestows treasures and wealth on all beings.
Mantra: on kakaka bisanmaei sowaka (Jpn.); Om ha-ha-ha vismaye svaha. (Skt.); Om oh-oh-oh, Wondrous One! sowaka
Miroku Bosatsu
There are many different forms or images of the Maitreya, yet many of these forms of Maitreya hold a stupa in his crown. This contains a sarira or real relic of the Buddha Sâkyamuni. In the Shingon tradition, it is taught that this stupa represents Mahâvairocana Buddha.
Mantra: on maitareiya sowaka (Jpn.); Om maitreya svaha. (Skt.); Om, Compassionate One [Maitreya]! sowaka
Yakushi Nyorai
Yakushi Nyorai is the Medicine Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru Tathagata. In his left hand he holds a medicine container, and his right hand forms the mudrâ for granting wishes. This represents his merit of being able to fulfill people's wishes.
Mantra: on koro koro sendari matougi sowaka (Jpn.); Om huru huru candali matangi svaha. (Skt.); Om, heal, heal! Sendari, matougi sowaka.
Kannon Bosatsu (Kanzeon)
His body is golden and he sits within a background of flames. He wears Bodhisattva robes with a red undergarment. His right hand is at the level of the chest and holds an opened lotus, which represents the Bodhichitta. His left hand is also at the level of the chest and makes the mudrâ of fearlessness.
Mantra: on arorikya sowaka (Jpn.); Om, Unstained One! sowaka
Seishi Bosatsu
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. He holds a lotus blossom in his left hand, and his right hand represents the vigorous energy that can make the flower bloom. This also expresses a posture in which the Buddha uses this Bodhisattva to lead people to an actual salvation in this world and awaken the Buddha nature and Buddha wisdom in people.
Mantra: On san zan zan saku sowaka. (Jpn.); Om sam jam jam sah svaha. (Skt.); Om may defilements be removed svaha.
Amida Nyorai
Amitâbha (Amida) is seated in lotus position on a jewel lotus. He wears a red robe with both shoulders covered. He is sitting with both of his hands held in his lap. The tips of his thumbs are touching, and the ends of his first fingers are turned up, forming two circles. His right hand is resting on his left hand, and this mudrâ is called the Samâdhi mudrâ.
Mantra: on amirita teisei kara un (Jpn.); oṃ amṛta-teje hara hūṃ (Skt.); Om save us in the glory of the Deathless One hum!
Ashuku Nyorai
Aksobhya Tathagata. He has his left hand clenched tightly in a fist, and it is resting on his waist. This expresses the strength and firmness of the true Bodhicitta. His right hand hangs down near his knee and his fingers tips pressing against the earth. This expresses his ability to put down all defilements of minds.
Mantra: Om aksobhya hūm (Skt.); on akishubiya un (Jpn.); Om, immovable one. Hūm.
Dainichi Nyorai
Mahâvairocana has two aspects to his personality. One aspect is the Wisdom represented by Vajradhâtu Mandala. In this Mandala, he is depicted as wearing a bejeweled crown on his head, representing the Five Wisdoms posessed by a fully awakened Buddha. His hands are in the Wisdom Fist mudrâ. This mudrâ represents the essential unity of ordinary beings and the Buddhas. Another aspect is the Principle or the Truth represented by Garbhakosa (Womb Realm) Mandala. His hands are in the Samâdhi mudrâ (Hôkai Jôin), a mudrâ which represents the basic nature of the world. These two aspects are the spiritual qualities of Mahâvairocana which is the underlying ground, the basic substance that goes to make up the universe. All beings are manifested from out of this great spirit of Mahâvairocana. It is this reason there are two types of Mahâvairocana.
Mantra: Om a-vi-ra-hûm-kham vajradhâtu vam (Skt.); on abiraunken bazaradato ban (Jpn.); Om, All Pervading One. Imperishable One.
Kokuuzou Bosatsu
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva. Kokuuzou Bodhisattva appears with a wish-granting gem (Cintâmani or Nyoihôshu), by means of which he bestows worldly blessings on all beings. This jewel represents joy and virtue. In his right hand he carries a sharp sword which represents wisdom.
Mantra: noubou akyasha kyarabaya on arikya mari bori sowaka (Jpn.); Namo akasagarbhaya om arya kamari mauli svaha. (Skt.); Homage to the great Space-bearer who holds a flower and wears a garland and a jeweled crown sowaka