Minneapolis Institute of Art

Divine General

Joga

Date

late 12th century–early 13th century

Medium

Wood with polychrome

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This amusingly rigid figure represents one of the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūni Shinshō) who attend and protect Yakushi, the Buddha of Healing. From the 11th century on, the generals became associated with the twelve animals of the Asian zodiac. Although difficult to identify, the animal here may be a dog, as one seems to be poking its head from the warrior’s curious, bag-like cap. Based on an inscription on the underside of the figure, it is attributed to Joga, an artist associated with the famous Kei school active in Nara during Japan’s Kamakura period.

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