General Choe Yeong (1316–1388) and Japanese naval officer
All classes of people in Korea consulted shamans for protection, healing, and divination. This shaman painting is interesting due to its pro-Japanese sentiment. Two centrally aligned figures dominate the composition. From the distinctive iconography of its fish-scale armor, winged helmet, spear, and trident, the figure on the top is likely Choe Yeong, a heroic general of the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) known for thwarting rebellions. Shamans deified General Choe as a protector of military men. In this painting, Choe is being evoked to guard the Japanese naval officer who is directly below him. The image was likely made for a Japanese officer stationed in Korea during the colonial period between 1910 and 1945.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
