About this artwork
These two wooden sculptures originally belonged to a group of eighteen Shinto deities (kami) believed to have come from the Izumo district on the north coast of the island of Honshu. Thanks to recent research, it has been determined that both are made from magnolia wood, a rare material for Shinto sculptures. Twelve of the sculptures are in American and Canadian collections, while others are in the UK and Japan. The Dragon King, originally an Indian Hindu god, was gradually incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon. Veneration of this deity, who rules the seas, spread with Buddhism from India to China, and via Korea to Japan; there the Dragon King was further transformed into a Shinto god.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 103
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Department
- Arts of Asia
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Title
- Dragon King
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Place
- Japan (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- 1001–1150
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Medium
- Magnolia wood with traces of pigment
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Dimensions
- H.: 102.2 cm (40 1/4 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Robert Allerton
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Reference Number
- 1957.242
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/5821/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.