Zaō Gongen
Japan, Kamakura period (1185–1333) · 1200s · Cleveland Museum of Art
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From the museum
Zaō Gongen is the guardian deity of Mount Kinpu in Yoshino south of Nara. Zaō appeared at the behest of En no Gyōja, who prayed for a powerful protector of the mountain. The deity was described as a combined manifestation of the Buddha Shakyamuni, Thousand-Armed Kannon, and Miroku. These three deities were viewed as the past, present, and future protectors of the world. Zaō’s appearance derives from portrayals of fierce Buddhist deities. Zaō Gongen wears the pelt of a large feline, the face of which is near his knee.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0
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Details
- Maker
- Japan, Kamakura period (1185–1333)
- Date
- 1200s
- Medium
- wood
- Dimensions
- Average: 106.7 cm (42 in.)
- Place of origin
- Japan
- Held by
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · On view · 235B Japanese
- Credit line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Image: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0
Shown in
- Highlights of Japanese ArtDec 7, 2025 – Jun 14, 2026
- Shinto: Discovering the Divine in Japanese Art 神道－日本美術における神性の発見Apr 9, 2019 – Jun 30, 2019
- Asian Autumn: Masterpieces from the CollectionSep 17, 1991 – Jan 5, 1992
- Traditions and Revisions: Themes from the History of SculptureSep 24, 1975 – Nov 16, 1975