One of a Pair of Guardian Figures (Zuishin)

c. 1560–1625

One of a Pair of Guardian Figures (Zuishin), c. 1560–1625. Japan, Muromachi period (1392-1573) to Edo period (1615-1858). Japanese cypress (hinoki) with traces of color; crystal; 68.5 x 71.4 cm (26 15/16 x 28 1/8 in.); 70.2 x 70.5 cm (27 5/8 x 27 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2020.215.1 Sculptors carved these two figures to look like members of the guard who protected the Japanese aristocracy in the 10th to 12th centuries. The pair belong in the roofed gate of a Shinto shrine. Their role was to embody the divine protectors of the deities, or kami, residing at the shrine. Their inset crystal eyes make them appear vigilant. Some Japanese sculptors used to specialize in inset crystal eyes.