Japanese Carved Wooden Guardian Nio Agyou Mask Vtg Buddhism Todaiji Temple OM68 Inuyama Imperfections in glaze

Imperfections in glaze

The flower crest in the center was used as the crest of the Korean National Assembly from 1948-2014

Stains on the papers

discoloration on resin end pieces

Blue printing residue on back side

Japanese Carved Wooden Guardian Nio Agyou Mask Vtg Buddhism Todaiji Temple OM68 Inuyama Imperfections in glazeVtg Japanese Wooden Nio Guardian Mask This is a Japanese hand carved wooden mask of one of the Nio guardians, Agyou. It is stained with a matte dark brown finish and has two metal loops on the inside back to attack hanging string or wire. Often seen at the gates of prominent Buddhist temples across Japan, the Nio Pair or Nio Kings embody physical force to keep evil and discord from entering. This mask is of Agyou, the open mouthed guardian. Most