Guardians (pair)

神将像

In this painting, one of a pair, two guardians are represented with great billowing sleeves and scarves streaming into space. Their faces creased with age, the guardians gaze intently at evils (not visible) that might attack the Buddhist doctrine. Each protected by armor and a long lance, these ferocious guardians are also ready to use their power to ward off illness and physical dangers in order to free devotees from fear.

Visitors to Japanese Buddhist temple complexes encounter guardians in painted or, more commonly, sculptural forms in the temple hall, where figures of the Buddha and bodhisattvas are enshrined. This pair of works are early examples of painted guardians.