A lacquered wood Figure of a Divine General Anila (Anira Taisho)

NANBOKUCHO - MUROMACHI PERIOD (14TH - 15TH CENTURY)

Details

A lacquered wood Figure of a Divine General Anila (Anira Taisho)
Nanbokucho - Muromachi period (14th - 15th century)
The guardian figure modeled in cypress wood in the joined-wood technique (yosegi) as one of the Junishinsho, the Twelve Divine Generals serving Bhaishajyaguru (Yakushi Nyorai), the Buddha of Healing, shown in Chinese armor standing in a frontal pose on a lichen-studded rock base, with one arm raised to hold a staff, the surface with traces of red, black, blue and green pigment and the inlaid crystal eyes painted with black pupils ringed in gold, the head separately carved and inserted into the neck cavity; an ink inscription on the interior
20 1/8 in. (51.1 cm.) high including base

Lot Essay

The Twelve Divine Generals represent the twelve vows made by the Medicine Buddha Bhaishajyaguru (Yakushi) to heal the spirits and bodies of all sentient beings. Anila controls the sense of touch and air in the body and is associated with the color red and the zodiac sign dragon, indicated by the dragon head on his headdress.

More from An Inquiring Mind: American Collecting of Japanese and Korean Art

View All