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This is a set of four Japanese guardian figures, or Shitenno, from a 13th century AD Buddhist temple. They are in the permanent collection of the Freer Gallery of Art. Each figure stands on a writhing demon.
They are, from left to right, Zocho-ten, Guardian of the South, Komoku-ten, Guardian of the West, Tamon-ten, Guardian of the North, and Jikoku-ten, Guardian of the East.
The figures are wood with polychrome, gold and crystal for the eyes. Japan, Kamakura period (1185-1333 AD).
I call this photograph, taken in November 2007:
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