A PAIR OF JAPANESE BRONZE FIGURES OF GARDIAN DEITIES, NIO MEIJI 1868-1912 The Kongorikishi typically depicted with wrathful expressions, Misshaku Kongo with his mouth open and holding the mallet vajra-pani, Naraen Kongo carrying a short staff, both standing on rockwork and wearing flowing skirts with long ribbons, their muscular chests left bare, with highlights cold-painted in red, 55.5cm. (2) These figures are modelled after Ungyo and Agyo, the two large 13th c. cypress figures of benevolent gardian Kings at Todaiji temple, Nara.