2-736-328 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

One of the Legion of Twenty-eight (Nijuhachi busshu), 12th century. This sculpture belongs to a large group thought to have come from Izumo in Shimane prefecture. The simple carving technique seen in the figure is often used for sculptures of Shinto deities (kami). His hairstyle, adornments, and garments identify him as a deity from the heavenly realm of Buddhism. Together, the group of sculptures represents the 28 heavenly beings who protect and serve the bodhisattva Kannon in his thousand-armed manifestation.