Includes two oil paintings of Japanese guardian deities, signed H. Sasaki together with red artist seal to lower corner of each painting, presented framed in identical manner.

Frame dimensions 37 x 29 3/4 in., Sight size 35 1/2 x 28 1/4 in.

Property of a Gentleman, Collected in Japan

Purchased from Paul Gallery, Tokyo in 1976

These paintings feature the Japanese benevolent kings known as the Nio, a pair of protectors who are found flanking temple gates at Japanese Buddhist temples. The open-mouth version is commonly placed to the right of the temple, the closed-mouth version to the left. The Nio’s fierce and threatening appearance is said to ward off evil spirits and keep the temple grounds free of demons and thieves. Each is named after a particular cosmic sound. The open-mouth figure is called “Agyo,” who is uttering the sound “ah,” meaning birth. His closed-mouth partner is called “Ungyo,” who sounds “un” meaning death.

Very good estate condition.