Japanese Mikoshi Portable Shinto Shrine, 1880s

Details

Description

This impressive Japanese mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine, traditionally used during matsuri festivals, where it served as a temporary … Read more This impressive Japanese mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine, traditionally used during matsuri festivals, where it served as a temporary dwelling for the kami and was carried through the streets by the local community. The piece is richly constructed as a miniature shrine, with red ritual accents and a roof fully clad in metal with elegantly upturned corners. Thanks to its scale, materials, and powerful presence, this is the kind of object that only rarely comes onto the market.

Approximate dimensions: height 100 cm, width 85 cm, depth 85 cm.

Multiple mitsudomoe emblems appear throughout the structure—an iconic Shinto symbol associated with protection and movement, and closely linked to festival culture.

The mikoshi is composed of two sections: a lower base and an upper shrine. Originally it was one single unit, but due to age the two parts were carefully separated at a later stage. This was done with respect for the original construction, so the object remains stable today while also being far more practical for transport, handling, and installation.

Overall, it is in fine used condition, with age-related wear fully consistent with its time period. Wear to the metal, subtle irregularities in the wood, and patina around the openings at the base—where the carrying poles once passed through—point to intensive ritual use and enhance its authenticity.

Today, this mikoshi is best suited as a decorative, architectural statement piece. Given its materials and age, it is not intended for outdoor display; placement indoors or in a sheltered, dry environment is strongly recommended. Combining sculptural impact, religious symbolism, and traditional craftsmanship, it makes an exceptional focal point for an interior, gallery, or museum setting. See less