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Stone Itahi Aoishitoba Blue-Stone Stupa Amida Muromachi browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Sculpture: Pre 1700: item # 950968 Please refer to our stock # 318 when inquiring.
Antique Stones Japan Daikyocho 27 Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0015 +81-3-3352-3799 $1,900 |
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Stone depiction of an itahi, commonly referred to as an aoishitoba (lit. blue-stone stupa), sculpted from a blue-green schist, with three Sanskrit characters symbolizing the Amida Triad incised onto the front surface. Clearly dated to Bunmei 13 (1482), Muromachi Period. Old loss and overall patination. Height: 62.1 cm The earliest known examples of stone itahi date to the mid-Kamakura Period ca. 1250, while the most recent examples date to the first decade or so of the Edo Period ca. 1615, after which time the production of stone itahi ceased. The type of blue-green schist from which this piece is hewn was traditionally quarried primarily in the Kanto Plain region comprising Tokyo and bordering prefectures. Incised onto the front surface of this itahi are three bonji (Sanskrit characters), the upper bonji symbolizing Amida Buddha and the lower two bonji symbolizing Kannon Bodhisattva and Seishi Bodhisattva. This tripartite formation, known as the Amida Triad, is a frequently encountered motif in the Pure Land Buddhist sects and is held to signify Amida Buddha's descent on earth to collect the souls of the departed faithful in preparation for removal to the Western Paradise. With a narrow tongue-like projection at the lower end, this piece was sculpted for easy insertion into the soil. Weighing just under 6 kg, it is suitable for wall display, for example. A fine example of a highly collectible type of Japanese stone, with good size and irrefutable temporal provenance. Uncommon. |
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