W220xL300mm, China
This is a wood block print of the Skanda, Wei Tuo, a guardian of Buddhism (leader of the 32 celestial guardians). He has been worshiped in Chinese temples since the Sung dynasty, his statue is often placed behind the Maitreya statue. It is believed that when the Buddha passed away and cremated, the demons came and robbed away his relics. Wei Tuo chased and caught up with them and got back the relics, he was honored to be the guardian. Though Indian in origin, Skanda was adapted into the Chinese culture as a courageous warrior and guardian and even has a Chinese name as Wei Tuo, but his task has never altered.
Mountain Folkcraft 