Japanese Kamakura Period

The Japanese Kamakura Period (1185–1333), marked by the rise of samurai rule and realistic art. This category features warrior relics and lifelike sculptures from a time of military and spiritual focus.

Atavaka, Japanese painting, ink, mineral colors, and gold on silk, 1185–1392

Atavaka (1185-1392 CE)

Art Painting Unknown Artist

Āṭavaka, depicted as a wrathful yet protective deity, embodies the transformation of malevolent forces into guardians of the Dharma, a core theme in Buddhist narratives.

Prince Shotoku at Age Two, Japanese wooden statue with lacquer and inlaid eyes

Prince Shotoku at Age Two (1300s CE)

Antiquities Asia Japan Sculpture

This wooden statue, adorned with lacquer and rock-crystal inlaid eyes depicts Prince Shōtoku Taishi at age two.

Japanese wooden guardian figure Nio from the Kamakura period, chestnut and cypress.

Guardian Figure Nio: II (1185-1333 CE)

Antiquities Asia Ceremonial & Religious Japan

A wooden statue from the 1200s, depicting an open-mouthed Nio guardian, assembled with yosegi-zukuri technique and faded polychromy.

Japanese Kamakura-period koma-inu guardian lion-dog sculpture, 1185–1333.

Koma Inu (1185-1333 CE)

Antiquities Asia Ceremonial & Religious Japan

A wooden koma inu from the 1200s–1300s, depicting a guardian lion-dog, carved with traces of polychromy.

Japanese Kamakura-period wooden guardian figure (Nio), 1185–1333.

Guardian Figure: Nio (1185-1333 CE)

Antiquities Asia Ceremonial & Religious Japan

A wooden statue from the 1200s, depicting a Nio guardian with a fierce expression, carved from chestnut and cypress.