Japan: Extermination of Evil by Sendan Kendatsuba. 12th century scroll painting.

Part of a set of five hanging scrolls entitled 'Extermination of Evil', depicting benevolent deities who expel demons of plague. This scroll was originally part of a handscroll known as the 'Second edition of the Masuda family Hell Scroll' before being cut into sections after World War II. The text on the scroll explains the acts of the god in exterminating evil. Sendan Kendatsuba, originally an Indian god of music, was a king of the Kendatsuba and thereby a member of the Eight Legions and the 28 legions. According to the Lotus Sutra he is one of the 33 manifestations of Kannon Bosatsu and the central figure of the Dōjikyō Mandara. Here he is depicted in human guise hoisting the heads of evil animals and demons on a trident. The set of five scrolls has been designated as a National Treasure of Japan in the category 'Paintings'.

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Pictures From History