Twelve Divine Generals

Wood, single block construction

Kamakura period　13th century

Twelve Divine Generals
  • D017398
Twelve Divine Generals_0
  • D017398
  • 1997/02/14
Twelve Divine Generals_1
  • D017400
  • 1997/02/14
Twelve Divine Generals_2
  • D017402
  • 1997/02/14
Twelve Divine Generals_3
  • D017404
  • 1997/02/14

More

Until the Second World War, these entertaining statues were enshrined at Taineiji Temple in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. Their individual characters resonate with the zodiac animals whom they represent seen atop their heads. The poses, facial expressions and gestures vary from statue to statue, but they engagingly complement one another to form a cohesive set that would have accompanied a statue of Yakushi, the Medicine Buddha. 
Audio guide 

The group of twelve statues was originally owned by Tainei-ji Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture. Each figure shows lively posture to constitute a diversified impression of this group. The facial expressions have been reflected by the characteristic of the twelve zodiac animals applied on each headdress. Only the Inu-gami (Divine General of dog) statue is a later production.
 
Shigeki Iwata 
Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2010, p.139, no.144. 

Accession Number 858-0
Category Sculptures
Provenance Formerly kept in Yakushi-dō at Dainei-ji temple, Kanagawa
Bibliography Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum, 2022, 194p. The Buddhist Icons of Kamakura : Realism and Exoticism : Special Exhibition. Nara National Museum, 2014,150p. (Japanese) Nara National Museum News Vol.85. Nara National Museum, 2013.4, 8p. Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2013, 168p. Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2012, 168p. Masterworks from the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall at the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2010, 160p. Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Nara National Museum: Sculptures. Nara National Museum, 1989, 111p. (Japanese)

Related Objects

Accession Number Image Object Name/Title
858-1 Twelve Divine Generals, Vikarāla Twelve Divine Generals, Vikarāla
858-2 Twelve Divine Generals, Catura Twelve Divine Generals, Catura
858-3 Twelve Divine Generals, Shindūra Twelve Divine Generals, Shindūra
858-4 Twelve Divine Generals, Makura Twelve Divine Generals, Makura
858-5 Twelve Divine Generals, Pajra Twelve Divine Generals, Pajra
858-6 Twelve Divine Generals, Indra Twelve Divine Generals, Indra
858-7 Twelve Divine Generals, Śandira Twelve Divine Generals, Śandira
858-8 Twelve Divine Generals, Majira Twelve Divine Generals, Majira
858-9 Twelve Divine Generals, Aṇḍira Twelve Divine Generals, Aṇḍira
858-10 Twelve Divine Generals, Mihira Twelve Divine Generals, Mihira
858-11 Twelve Divine Generals, Vajra Twelve Divine Generals, Vajra
858-12 Twelve Divine Generals, Kumbhira Twelve Divine Generals, Kumbhira
Accession Number 858-1
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Vikarāla
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Vikarāla
Accession Number 858-2
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Catura
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Catura
Accession Number 858-3
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Shindūra
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Shindūra
Accession Number 858-4
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Makura
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Makura
Accession Number 858-5
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Pajra
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Pajra
Accession Number 858-6
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Indra
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Indra
Accession Number 858-7
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Śandira
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Śandira
Accession Number 858-8
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Majira
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Majira
Accession Number 858-9
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Aṇḍira
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Aṇḍira
Accession Number 858-10
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Mihira
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Mihira
Accession Number 858-11
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Vajra
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Vajra
Accession Number 858-12
Image Twelve Divine Generals, Kumbhira
Object Name/Title Twelve Divine Generals, Kumbhira

Page Top