Jūni Shinshō: The Twelve Generals

The Jūni Shinshō (十二神将) are twelve armoured generals who vowed to protect those who honour Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha. Each commands seven thousand spirits. From the Heian period they were linked with the twelve animals of the zodiac and the hours of the day, so that each general came to guard a year, a direction and a time.

Japanese 十二神将, Jūni Shinshō
Rank Devas, of yaksha origin
Recognise by Twelve armoured warriors with dynamic poses and weapons, often with a zodiac animal on the helmet
Placed around Yakushi Nyorai

The twelve names

Kubira, Basara, Meikira, Anchira, Majira, Sanchira, Indara, Haira, Makora, Shindara, Shōtora and Bikara. Their links to the zodiac animals vary between temples, and the animal on the helmet is the surest way to tell which general a single figure represents. See The Japanese Zodiac.

The great sets

  • Shin-Yakushiji, Nara. Twelve clay generals of the eighth century stand in a ring around the seated Yakushi, faces contorted, hair flaring, once brightly painted. Recent study has revealed traces of their original colour.
  • Kōfukuji, Nara. Twelve wooden generals of the Kamakura period in the Eastern Golden Hall, vivid and almost comic in their energy, and a series of Heian relief panels.

Collecting notes

  • Single generals from dispersed sets appear more often than complete sets, and each is identified by its helmet animal.
  • Collectors born in a particular zodiac year often seek their own general, which gives single figures lasting appeal.
  • Weapons and helmet animals are fragile and commonly restored.

In the collection

Browse guardian deities. Our collector concierge can search Japan for a particular general or set.

See also

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