This is a portrait of Enno Ozunu, known more popularly as En no Gyōja. He is revered as the founder of Shugendō, “The Way of Asceticism.” That it was produced by Keishun in 1286 is understood from ink inscriptions written on the inside of the statue. While the statue is a fairly typical representation of En no Gyōja, his eyes that stare straight out wide open give the image a strong sense of presence. This statue comes from the sacred center of Shugendō practice, Mount Yoshino in Nara.  
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