Two Generals from the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūnishinshō)

Two Generals from the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūnishinshō)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Twelve Divine Generals serve Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Master Buddha, who heals all ailments, including the disease of ignorance. They are also responsible for vanquishing enemies of Buddhism, and are usually depicted in fighting poses, armored, and with ferocious countenances. These examples, however, were roughhewn, probably by an amateur monk-sculptor in the style of the monk-sculptor Enkū (1632–1695), and lack identifying features. Nevertheless, they are striking in their powerful simplicity.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Two Generals from the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūnishinshō)Two Generals from the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūnishinshō)Two Generals from the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūnishinshō)Two Generals from the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūnishinshō)Two Generals from the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūnishinshō)

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.