Kozuka with a Temple Guardian (Niō)

Description The figure at the bottom of the kozuka is a temple guardian ("ni-ô"). These two fierce deities guard the main south gate at Buddhist temples. The one depicted here appears to the visitors left as they enter. On the reverse are the artist's signature and a seal.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] 濱埜矩隨; [Translation] Hamano Noriyuki; [Date] 文政二年; [Transliteration] Bunsei ni nen; [Translation] 1819

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters