Gushōjin

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Gushōjin (Sanskrit: Sahadeva), a male and female duo that accompanies the king of hell, chronicle the good and bad deeds of individuals, quite literally looking over their shoulders. The male Gushōjin notes the good from his vantage point above the left shoulder. The sturdy vigilance of this sculpture reflects the Kamakura-period feeling for lifelike movement and expression.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art