Daizen-ji (大善寺), a temple of the Shingon sect (真言宗) in Kōshū, Yamanashi: two of the twelve smaller statues represent the Twelve Divine Generals (Jūni Shinshō, 十二神将), guardian figures associated with Yakushi Nyōrai (薬師如来). In Esoteric Buddhist belief (密教), they protect the Healing Buddha and those who place faith in him, each commanding a host of celestial soldiers and linked to one of the twelve zodiac signs (十二支).
