A WOOD TEMPLE STATUE OF ANIRA TAISHO (SHEEP GENERAL), LATE MUROMACHI TO EDO

A WOOD TEMPLE STATUE OF ANIRA TAISHO (SHEEP GENERAL), LATE MUROMACHI TO EDO
Japan, 16th-17th century, late Muromachi period (1336-1573) to early Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved and elaborately painted in polychrome pigments, the heavenly general standing atop a rock base surrounded by crashing waves painted onto the tiered base painted gold on the side with openwork and chased-metal fittings. The warrior stands in a powerful pose with one leg propped on a rock holding his right hand up, holding what was once a long spear, wearing a tiger's skin, heavy plated armor with elaborate detailing and foliate and wan designs. His green face bearing a fierce expression, his mouth open, his wild bloodshot eyes made of dark horn, ivory, and gold inlays painted covered in transparent rock crystal, his hair flowing behind his metal crown with a central floral medallion in front of the sheep head rising from the top of his head. Inscribed to the base and back with the label, 'Sheep.'
HEIGHT 63.2 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, expected age cracks, minor losses to pigments, some flaking, few losses. Generally presenting well.
Provenance:
From a French private collection.
Once a set of twelve, this lot and lot 44 belong to the same set of temple figures.
The Twelve Heavenly Generals,
also known as Juni Shinsho, are the protective deities of Yakushi (Bhaisajyaguru in Sanskrit) and his followers; Bhaisjyaguru is the buddha of healing and medicine in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Each of the Twelve Divine Generals embodies a vow taken by Yakushi to heal ailments of the body and mind. Responsible for protecting the faithful and vanquishing the enemies of Buddhism, they are depicted with ferocious countenances, wearing armor, and standing in fighting poses. In ancient times they became associated with the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and were often the subject of sculptures during the Heian and Kamakura periods. It is believed that sculptures of the Heavenly Generals were enshrined in temples, since several in the Tokyo National Museum are believed to be from the Joruri-ji temple of the school of Pure Land Buddhism in Kizugawa, Kyoto prefecture. Many of these sculptures were votive offerings made by a nobleman, and many sculptors of these figures belonged to the famous Kei school of Buddhist sculpture that emerged in the early Kamakura period.