Vajra Warrior (one of a pair), mid 14th century, Unknown Japanese, 76 x 39 x 28 in. ( x x cm), Polychromed Japanese cypress (hinoki) with lacquer, Japan, 14th century, Two vajra warriors (in Japanese, Kongō rikishi), better known as the Two Kings (Niō), guard the entrances of many Japanese Buddhist temples. Befitting their role as protectors of the dharma, or Buddhist law, they are ferocious, seminude figures with exaggerated musculature and facial expressions. The extreme realism of these figures was achieved through the yosegi technique of multiple-block construction

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Size: 4248px × 7798px
Location:
Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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