Takamura Koun — Agyo & Ungyo (Nio Guardians), bronze; publisher-certified edition, Showa-era release; highly detailed pair, approx. 56–56.5 cm

Takamura Koun — Agyo & Ungyo (Nio Guardians), bronze; publisher-certified edition, Showa-era release; highly detailed pair, approx. 56–56.5 cm

Catalogue Note

A formidable pair of temple guardians representing Agyo and Ungyo, the threshold protectors traditionally stationed at the entrances of Buddhist precincts. Cast in bronze with pronounced anatomical modelling and dynamic drapery, the figures translate the immediacy of carved wood prototypes into the permanence of metal: taut musculature, tightened brows, and the unmistakable surge of forward motion that defines the classic guardian stance.

This pair is presented as after Takamura Koun (1852–1934), one of Japan’s most influential sculptors in the modern period and a central figure in the revival of historically grounded figuration. Koun’s legacy is inseparable from rigorous observation and a commitment to lifelike presence—qualities that resonate strongly in this casting, where the guardians’ bodies read as both devotional icon and sculptural study.

The work is accompanied by publisher-issued documentation described as a guarantee from Kodansha, supporting the identification and reinforcing its status as a reputable issued work rather than an anonymous decorative reproduction.

Iconography and meaning

In paired form, Agyo embodies the opening sound—birth, the beginning, the first breath—while Ungyo embodies the closing sound—completion, dissolution, the final breath. Together they frame the totality of experience, guarding the liminal boundary between the ordinary and the sacred. In collecting terms, a complete pair is materially and conceptually stronger than a single figure: the set is the story.

Why collectors pursue works like this

• Monumental presence at a domestic scale: commanding without requiring architectural installation.
• The pair premium: complete Agyo/Ungyo sets are inherently scarcer and more legible to informed buyers.
• A sculptural bridge between devotion and modern realism.
• Documentation: publisher-backed paperwork is a meaningful value signal in secondary-market circulation.

Measurements

• Agyo: approx. H 56.0 cm × W 21.0 cm × D 20.0 cm; weight approx. 10.6 kg
• Ungyo: approx. H 56.5 cm × W 20.5 cm × D 22.5 cm; weight approx. 11.1 kg
• Combined statue weight: approx. 21.7 kg

Condition

Overall described as in good condition. Please expect minor surface handling marks consistent with age and use. Review all photographs closely for patina variation, edge wear, and any small casting or finishing irregularities typical of bronze works.

Confidence & Verification Notes

Attributions and issue details are repeated from the seller’s description and accompanying paperwork. Where the listing describes an “after Takamura Koun” identification, we treat that as a catalogued attribution rather than a definitive workshop-authenticated signature claim, unless additional primary documentation is provided.

Collector’s Resonance

For the collector who wants presence more than ornament: guardians that do not merely decorate a room, but change its temperature. Also ideal for a study, entry space, or design project seeking an unmistakable note of Japanese sculptural gravity.

Shipping & Logistics

Estimated packed configuration: two separate cartons, each foam-cradled.

• Carton estimate (each): 75 × 40 × 40 cm
• Dimensional weight (divisor 5000): ~24.0 kg per carton (≈ 48.0 kg total)
• Estimated actual packed weight: ~14.0 kg per carton (≈ 28.0 kg total)
• Total volume for freight planning: ~0.24 m³ (two cartons)

Estimated delivery windows: EMS 4–10 days; DHL/FedEx/UPS 2–6 days; surface 6–14 weeks; freight varies by lane.

Further reading

• Why Collect Buddhist Sculpture
• Nio Guardians, Agyo & Ungyo
• Concierge Services