Japan, Meiji Period, ca. 1880 CE. This is a wood, gold-leaf, and lacquer zushi (small Buddhist shrine) portraying a standing bodhisattva, Senju Kannon. In Japanese tradition, Kannon has prolonged her eternal enlightenment to stay behind on earth and help others to attain it, and is the "goddess of mercy". Kannon is also the protector of animals, and many people still today visit her shrines to pray for their pets. Her Senju, or thousand-armed, incarnation, is her most popular depiction; here she is shown with 42 carved arms to represent the 1000 that would doubtless have been very difficult to carve in such a small space! Her face is peaceful. She has full flowing robes, a wood carved crown with metal and jewelled side ribbons, and a jewelled statue. She stands between two pillars atop a lotus and tiered throne. At the start of the Meiji Period (1868), the Japanese government declared that Buddhism must be separated from Shinto, the official state religion. Initially, enforcement of the separation was strict, and Buddhist images were stricken from many Shinto shrines. Within a few years, however, enforcement stopped and Buddhist images crept back into Japanese religious art. A shrine like this one, depicting a bodhisattva, is obviously from this time period. The level of detail on this piece is amazing; even the hinges on the outside have delicate carvings of flowers on them. Size: 14-1/2" H x 14" W x 5-1/2" L (37 cm x 36 cm x 14 cm).

Provenance: Ex-Private Northern Colorado collection,

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#110426

Although the zushi is delicate, it is fully intact. The details on the paint around the top are very clear and bright; the patina on the gold-leaf is a deep, rich color. The piece is fully intact and stands on its own.