One of the Twelve Celestial Guardians

Japan

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 226

The Twelve Celestial Guardians, or Jūni-ten, are a force of protective deities worshipped in some schools of Buddhism. All are derived from Indian gods. Shown here are Bonten (Brahma), the god at the origin of all things, and Katen, the god of fire. Originally from a suite of twelve, these images would have been used to safeguard a ritual space.

One of the Twelve Celestial Guardians, Hanging scroll (from a set of twelve); hand-colored print on paper, Japan

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painting

One of the Twelve Celestial Guardians, Hanging scroll (from a set of twelve); hand-colored print on paper, Japan
One of the Twelve Celestial Guardians, Hanging scroll (from a set of twelve); hand-colored print on paper, Japan

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