Arkivism
Pair of Guardian Kings (Niō)
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Pair of Guardian Kings (Niō)

1200s · Chestnut and cypress wood

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

These wrathful protectors of Buddhism would have once stood within the sides of the main entrance gate to a temple. One has an open mouth that intones the sound ah, and symbolizes the beginning, or life.One has a closed mouth that intones the sound un, and symbolizes the end, or death.

Cleveland Museum of Art’s own description
Credit linePair of Guardian Kings (Niō), 1200s. Japan, Kamakura period (1185–1333). Chestnut and cypress wood; overall: 167.9 cm (66 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund, 1972.158
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