倶生神立像|Gushōjin

Unknown

13th century · Wood with traces of pigment and lacquer · Asian 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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th century

Medium

Wood with traces of pigment and lacquer

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975