General Choe Yeong (1316–1388) and Japanese naval officer
Not on view
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.
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