Accession Number
2015/2.163.2

Title
Door Gods Yu Lei and Shen Tu - Catchers of Evil Spirits and Ghosts (Diptych)

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
19th-20th century

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
17 ½ in x 24 in (44.45 cm x 60.96 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Sharlynn and Andrew Circo, in memory of Sotokichi Katsuizumi

Subject matter
This figure is known as the door god, Shen Tu. The words on his staff translates to "Shen Tu." The Chinese door gods are worshipped as spiritual guardians of the entrance. They are known for their trustworthiness, strength, and loyalty, and are suposed to keep evil spirits from entering. Door gods normally face each other in pairs because it is considered bad luck to place them back-to-back. 

Physical Description
The right panel of an uncut diptych with an unpainted background. A figure is depicted in a brightly-colored robe of red, blue, green, and yellow, with an ornamented staff featuring Chinese characters. The figure has white skin, a long, thin black beard, and is facing left. 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
entrances
gods (deities)
guardian deities
pairs
spirits (beings)