NHK WORLD

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Twelve Divine Generals
(Juni Shinsho ryuzo)

photoZOOM
  • photo
  • photo
close

The Twelve Divine Generals, a set of Buddhist statues carved in the 13th century, look as if they have just stepped out of a cartoon with their unique appearance. They are 70 to 80 centimeters tall. These were the generals who guarded Yakushi Nyorai, Tathagata, the Buddha who healed disease and brought longevity. Together, they were thought to guard all directions at all times. They were originally gods of India, the birthplace of Buddhism, and were incorporated by the religion. The Twelve Divine Generals’ realistic and dynamic forms are representative of the Kamakura Period when they were made. The colors of their clothing and armor and elegant decorations made of gold foil suggest that they were produced by sculptors of the Kei school, one of the leading schools of the day. They were handed down to the Joruruji Temple in Kyoto Prefecture and are now a designated important cultural property of Japan. Five of the 12 are now a part of the collection of the Tokyo National Museum.

Next show

Previous shows