These bombastic figures exhibit the light-hearted Roccoco theatricality typical of fourteenth and fifteenth century sculpture. Gestures are dramatic and exaggerated, and drapery swirls and flutters about the body as if the sculptor were intoxicated with the love of movement for its own sake. Jowly faces are broken into many rounded planes; even their red hair sweeps upward as if electrified with restless energy. They communicate their ferocity with direct and elemental spontaneity. The figure with closed mouth is remarkable because it steps forward into space, while its drapery swings out to the side, giving a sense of three-dimensional movement that is unusual in Japanese sculpture, which favors lateral movement.
These are three of the Twelve Generals, armor-clad attendants of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing. Representing Yakushi's twelve vows to protect the Buddhist law, they scowl and brandish weapons to frighten their opponents. A fourth statue from this group was on loan to the Brooklyn Museum of Art.
These figures are made from several pieces of wood joined together in the yosegi tsukuri technique, and the eyes are inset with crystal