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

Japan: Extermination of Evil by Tenkeisei. 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. Tenkeisei, the God of Heavenly Punishment, is shown consuming the ox-headed deity Gozu Tenno, the god of pestilence. The set of five scrolls has been designated as a National Treasure of Japan in the category 'Paintings'.

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