Bishamonten Carving

Bishamonten CarvingBishamonten is a Japanese god of war and a Buddhist protector of shrines and holy places. As one of the Seven Lucky Gods, he protects the great treasure pagoda of Buddhist offerings and divvies these out to faithful believers. Bishamonten is a warrior, an armored war god most often depicted wielding a spear in one hand and a pagoda in the other. This sculpture, from the 1600s, no longer has either. Bishamontens armor is atypical for Japanese warriors

Reinforced with additional stitching near the neck

the cones are washed

an important Japanese artist association of printmakers

indicating that this piece may have been one of one thousand statues housed in a worship hall at the Kōfukuji Temple in Nara

These shrines were typically simple in design

dripping glazes

A bamboo water container is included for use in floral arrangements

Mounted on a contemporary steel stand for display

Designed to secure packs and harnesses

Oversized examples like this were often showcased during the Meiji period as symbols of prosperity

a  chrysanthemum is rendered in spare

the Zen Buddhist monk who is depicted in a seated posture