Japanese Works of Art - 17th May 2022
Lot 123
A TALL AND UNUSUAL JAPANESE LACQUERED WOOD ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINE)
Estimate £2,000 - £3,000 | Hammer £1800
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Description
A TALL AND UNUSUAL JAPANESE LACQUERED WOOD ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINE)
EDO OR MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY
The case lacquered black, the doors opening to reveal the tall figure of a Buddhist guardian deity, probably Kōshin-shinkō; the wrathful figure standing on two oni, the demons crouching underneath a tiger skin, all raised on a rocky outcrop; the God depicted with six arms and three eyes, holding various attributes including a bow and arrow, a sword and a halberd; another hand grasping the hair of a small human figure in prayer, probably the soul of a worshipper; wearing lose robes revealing his bare torso and a necklace made of three skulls; his crown and mandorla behind him made of soft metal; with details rendered in polychrome and gilt,
the eyes inset in glass, 52.5cm overall.