Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Devotional Objects (73)

Small flat Buddhist shrine, constructed as a triptych. When open, the middle section houses Amida Nyorai in raised carving, sitting on a lotus throne under a baldachin and surrounded by clouds. On the left panel Seishi bosatsu with his hands folded in prayer, on the right panel Kannon bosatsu with the lotus in his hands. Both bodhisattva surrounded by clouds as well. Sandalwood with details of garment and baldachin in gold. Background in lapis blue.
The outside decorated in makie: A lotus pond with leaves and flowers in raised gold and silver takamakie and with okibirame. Over the pond clouds and two apsaras, playing the sho and the drum. Hinges in the form of silver butterflies. Japan, Edo period or early Meiji at the latest, 19th century.
Closed: 7.7 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches (12 x 8.5 x 2.3 cm).
Some warping, otherwise fine condition.

Shrines like these were often decorated on the outside by well known lacquer studios. Signatures were often put on the outside bottom of the case. In the 1915 Red Cross Exhibition a similar piece was shown (Sculpture, no. 24, and today included in the British Museum) that was described as carved by Naito Koseki and lacquered by Komatsu. This piece dates from the early 20th century. The quality of the lacquer work is clearly different from the piece here. Naito Koseki was a Buddhist sculptor who was still alive in the 1930s.

Reddish brown shrine with three very fine sculptures: Benzaiten in the middle, to her right Daikoku, and Bishamon to her left. Benten is seated on a lotus, depicted in her 8-armed appearance, holding a jewel, her other attributes are lost. On her head a crown with jewels and the snake-shaped Ugajin. Bishamonten stands on a demon and holds a pagoda, his staff now lost. Daikoku stands on two rice bales and holds a hammer and a bag. All of them on separate rock shaped bases. Excellent carving with extremely fine painting. Japan, 18th century.
Height: 9.5 inches; width: 8.75 inches (24 x 22.2 cm).
On the back two old paper labels. One is the address label of B.H. Collins , Coins and Curios in Washington, DC. The other label is a catalogue description of this piece (with correction).
Inside: most attributes lost, otherwise very good condition. Box with finely engraved hardware: few traces of usage, mostly very good condition.

Japanese Buddhist scroll painting with the image of Amida raigo, the descent of Amida Buddha from the Western Paradise to earth. He comes down to transport the newly deceased devotee to the Western Paradise. In the middle Amida, to his right the bodhisattva Seishi, hands folded in prayer, to his left Kannon holding the lotus throne for transporting the deceased to Paradise. A ray of light comes from Amida’s urna. All three figures are standing on lotus thrones, floating on white clouds. They are surrounded by a dark indigo blue background with scattered flowers that seems to be tumbling around in the sky. The outlines of the figures finely done in red. The garments of all three decorated in very fine flower and geometric designs in gold. Japan, 18th century.
Painted area: 37 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. (95.3 x 41.9 cm). Total height: 75 1/2 in. (191.7 cm).
Some paint rubbed off (mainly in flowers), some scratches in blue background, partly retouched (minimally), basically very good condition. Modern, Chinese mounting.

Shrine with inside the figure of the bodhisattva Jizo. He sits on a lotus base, positioned on a rock, his left leg hanging down, the foot resting on a small lotus base. In his left hand he holds a sacred jewel, in the right he formerly held his staff. The rock is placed onto a six tiered hexagonal, elaborately decorated base. Inscription on back of case in ochre colored lacquer, indicating that inside is a sculpture of Jizo, that an offering of 6 to (108 liters ??) was made, that the name of the donator was Naga Nobumasa. Japan, Edo period, 17th/18th century.
Height of case: 14 inches (36.1 cm).
Case: lacquer chips at bottom plate (baring the underlying wood), partly touched up, some minor touch-ups at upper rim, lacquer dull. Basically in very good condition. Figure: lacquer cracks along the seams of the wood blocks (on the right side of his body), some minor lacquer chips and cracks, hardly visible and soot. Staff missing. Necklace broken, but more or less complete. All in all very good condition.

Shrine with the exquisite carving of the eleven headed Kannon, holding the vase with the flower in the left hand, a rosary in the right. Dark wood. The garment, finely carved with pleats and scarves, decorated in gold with flowers and geometric designs. On the crown 8 of the 11 heads (three missing), with individual faces. The accessories on the chest and the crown in gilded metal. Kannon is standing on a nine tiered base (six tiers hexagonal, three tiers, the lotus, are round). Excellent piece. Japan, Edo period, 18th century or earlier.
Case height 15 ¼ in. (39.5 cm).
Case: obvious traces of usage (lacquer rubbed and chipped on outside), repairs to the bottom, gold lacquer inside strongly rubbed and sooted, some flaking toward the bottom. Figure: Three heads on top missing, parts of crown and necklace missing, rosary broken off, the left foot broken and restored, tip of toe to right foot broken. Mandorla with some repairs, but basically complete. Some tiny chips to base. All in all very good and stable condition.

More photos of case on request.

Finely carved wooden figure of Gyochu Kishimojin, the hands folded together in prayer, standing on an upside down lotus leaf, positioned on a rocky base. Plain wood, carved in a slightly facetted way that gives texture to his garment and skin. The base and the lotus gilded over lacquer. Inscribed on back: Kishibojin, opening of the eyes, Nichiren. Inscribed in black ink on bottom of lotus leaf: Hirono Naomasa. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.
Height without base 7 ¼ in. (18.3 cm).
Left foot missing, left hand pinky finger broken, chip at left sleeve, few minor old chips at edges, basically good and stable condition.

This piece is part of a Nichiren zushi, that is listed under no. 492282.

Plain wooden sculpture of the founder of the Nichiren sect. He is sitting, holding both his hands with the palms up. He is positioned on a rectangular elevation, decorated with water whirls and gilded over lacquer on the sides. Plain wood, carved in a slightly facetted way that gives texture to his garment and skin. On the back in black ink inscription reading "Nichiren". On the bottom inscription in black ink, partly covered by paper. Japan, Edo period, 19th century.
Height 4 11/16 in. (12.2 cm).
Crack into his left thigh, cracks in the back of his neck and in the upstanding part of his garment (back), partly filled in and stabilized. Part of left hand thumb missing.

This piece is part of a Nichiren zushi, that is listed under no. 492282

Plain wooden sculpture of the deity Shichimen Daimyojin. She is sitting on the top of mount Shichimen, crossing her left leg over the right, holding a jewel in her left hand. She is positioned on a rectangular elevation, painted green on top and gilded over lacquer on the sides. Behind her a jewel decorated nimbus. Plain wood, carved in a slightly facetted way that gives texture to his garment and skin. Crown of gilded metal. On the back in black ink inscription reading ‘Nichiren’. On the bottom inscription in black ink, reading ‘Kaneda[mura], Hirono Naomasa’. On the bottom of the base an inscription in black ink reading: Koshu, Yashiro gun, Kaneda mura, Hirono Asajiro Naomasa. Japan, Edo period, 19th century.
Height without base 7 ½ in. (18.8 cm).
Crack into at the front, sword missing, parts of crown missing, otherwise very good condition.

This piece is part of a Nichiren zushi, that is listed under no. 492282.

Fairly large shrine with three carved figures: Shichimen Daimyojin, Kishimojin and the patriarch of the Nichiren sect, Nichiren. All are positioned on a rectangular base. Although all three can be connected with the Nichiren sect, the formation is a rather unusual one, leading to the assumption that the pieces were carved to the specific order of someone, for a very specific reason. The crest on the outside of the zushi (tachibana branch in well) hints in the same direction. It may very well have been composed for a family shrine. Al pieces inscribed in black ink with more or less the same text: Koshu, Yashiro gun, Kaneda mura, Hirono Asajiro Naomasa. All figures have more or less the same inscription on the back. Japan, 18th century.
Measurements of case: h 14 5/8 in. (37.5 cm), w 16 3/8 in. (42.2 cm), d 8 13/16 in. (22.4 cm).
The case has clear traces of usage and two cracks in the back (one through and through, the other only on the inside), one piece of hardware missing, the other has come off, but is still extant.

Information on the individual pieces will be found under the numbers 492286, 492292 and 492299.

Very refined zushi with the sculpture of the bodhisattva Jizo. He stands on a lotus throne on rocks, holding a jewel in his left hand, his right hand missing. Behind his head a halo with very fine decoration in relief of clouds and jewels. Light wood with polychrome and gorgeous gold decoration, especially on the garment. Japan, Edo period, 19th century.
Height 6 in. (15.3 cm).
Right hand missing, otherwise excellent condition. Case: some dents and chips, basically in very good condition.

Small shrine with the sculpture of Kishimojin, the hands folded in prayer. Plain wood with nice patina, the pupils painted black. On the back inscription in black ink. On the right door of the case inscription in black ink: Angyo Kishimosonjin, the name of the temple and the donor. The inscription on the back of the sculpture is partly the same, indicating that sculpture and case came together. Japan, early 19th century.
Height case: 7 in. (17.9 cm).
Case with some obvious traces of usage, hardware slightly bent, nails missing. Sculpture in excellent condition.

Part of a triptych with depiction of the Five Great Myoo. At the top is Kongo Yasha Myoo, standing on two lotus bases, at the bottom Gozanse Myoo, being held by an acolyte. Black ink and color on silk, background gold. Beautiful painting, expensively painted.
Painted area: 39 x 15 ¼ inches; frame: 47 ¼ x 21 in.
Good condition, framed ( rollers cut off, old mounting behind mat).

Small shrine with double hinged doors. Inside three sculptures of a female in dancing pose, holding an open fan and two males, sitting in front of the female. The old man at the left hand side holds bells in his right hand, in his left he held something that is missing today. The man on the right hand side held something in his right hand, now missing. Judging the faces they could be Daikoku, Ebisu and Benten. Three figures elaborately carved in plain wood, their bases decorated in color. Japan, Edo period, 19th century.
Height of case: 9 ¼ inches (23.8 cm).
Left hand of left hand figure partly missing, attributes missing, otherwise good condition. Case: Gold lacquer inside chipping and cracking in places, metal door lock missing and replaced

Tall zushi with wooden sculpture of Yakushi Nyorai standing on a high, double lotus base. In his left hand he holds a medicine jar, while his right hand is raised in mudra. Very simple, country style carving. Lotus base very well carved in wood, covered with gold lacquer. Figure is plain wood covered with soot patina. Names of the donors written in ink on the bottom of the case. Date unreadable. Edo period, mid 17th century, possibly earlier. Height of case 25 3/4 in. (65.8 cm). Figure in good condition. Case with clear traces of usage, however in very stable condition.

Very rare. Simple wooden zushi with a figure of Fudo Myoo sitting on a high rock before a flaming halo. In his right hand he holds a sword, in his left a rope.
On lower levels of the rock formation sits Seitaka doji, holding his scarf in his left hand and a (now missing) club in his right, and stands Kongara doji, holding a lotus flower in his hands.

Light brown CLAY, hand modeled (not molded!), fired at low temperature, painted dark brown. Back of halo engraved with name of temple and donors? The rope in Fudo’s hand is twisted metal wire, the sword is made of clay and wood.
Country style, folk art. Probably late 19th century.

Height figure group 8 in. (20.8 cm), height box 11.25 in. (29 cm).
Paint is flaking here and there, pieces of the halo broken off and put back (best seen in photo of the back, where they show up as purple), some larger chips at bottom of base repaired. All in all good and stable condition.

Miniature shrine with inside the sitting figure of Dainichi Nyorai. He sits on a lotus base, in front of an open-worked halo. Written on top, probably in red lacquer, underneath a thick layer of soot: Dainichi. Height 2 ¾ in. (6.8 cm). Japan, Edo period, 19th century. Outside: some tiny lacquer chips at edges of one door. Inside: some of the outer lotus petals missing, otherwise very good condition. Very finely carved.

Small shrine, or zushi, in a folkish style. In a simple, square case sits Buddha Shakyamuni with a round object in his hands, possibly a jewel or an alms bowl, carved in soap stone. Shaka sits on a low pedestal. On the inside of the left door a paper label with the inscription … no shaka sonzo (Figure of the … Buddha). Height case 7 inches; height figure 3 ¼ inches. Some traces of usage to the case. Figure in good condition. Case Japanese, figure perhaps Chinese, although style is more Japanese.

The deity Shomen Kongo standing on a demon in front of a flaming halo. In front of him a rooster and a chicken and a monkey with a gohei. Ink and colors on paper. Painted area 25 x 11 inches. Several horizontal creases due to rolling, several small missing areas, all backed and partly retouched. New mounting in Chinese style. Overall stable condition.

Feel free to ask for additional photos.