Japanese Zushi Shrine With Bishamonten, Meiji Period Lacquered and Gilt Wood

Details

Description

On offer is a traditional Japanese portable shrine, known as a zushi. The fierce figure inside is Bishamonten, the Buddhist … Read more On offer is a traditional Japanese portable shrine, known as a zushi. The fierce figure inside is Bishamonten, the Buddhist guardian god of warriors, wealth and the north—just the thing for the aspiring venture capitalist.

DEITY: The key elements of the sculpture break down into specific traditional symbols:

First, the god holding the trident, Bishamonten, is the most powerful of the Four Heavenly Kings in Japanese Buddhism. He is also revered independently as one of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods—a great inspiration for the battlefields of capitalism.

Second, dressed in traditional Chinese-style armor with a fierce expression and a halo behind his head, he is prayed to as a defender of Buddhist law, a punisher of evildoers and a patron of warriors…so far, so good.

Third, in his right hand, Bishamonten grips a three-pronged trident-halberd. In Buddhist iconography, the three prongs represent the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma or teachings, and the Sangha, the monastic community. Resting in the palm of his left hand is a miniature pagoda or stupa known as a treasure tower. The pagoda serves as a dual symbol. Religiously, it acts as a reliquary representing the sacred teachings of the Buddha. Materially, it represents the divine treasure house, symbolizing Bishamonten's role as the god of wealth and prosperity who both guards cosmic riches and bestows good fortune upon faithful followers…this just gets better and better.

BEAST: The wide-eyed, crouching creature pinned beneath Bishamonten’s boots is a jaki, a mischievous goblin or evil demon. This is a standard visual motif for Buddhist guardian deities. It symbolizes the triumph of Buddhist wisdom …facing such temptations, sometimes one needs a little reminder.

BOX: The cylindrical pill-box shape (maru-zushi) with a rounded dome top and curved double doors is a classic Edo-period traveling format. The exterior features black urushi lacquer over a lightweight wood core (likely Japanese cypress, or hinoki). The wear along the bottom edges and the natural oxidation of the interior gold leaf indicate genuine 19th-century age rather than a modern reproduction. The chased brass or gilt-copper fittings are not merely functional; they carry deliberate Buddhist symbolism; the scalloped, multi-lobed central lock plate and door straps are stylized after auspicious clouds and lotus petals. On the side hinges and the front plates, fine hand-chased floral and scrolling vine motifs symbolize longevity, continuity and prosperity.

USE: Because Bishamonten is both a fierce warrior guardian and one of the Seven Lucky Gods associated with wealth, this shrine was especially popular among merchants and samurai. In a home or shop, it could be kept on a shelf or inside a larger family altar, with the doors opened during morning and evening prayers and closed afterward to protect the gold leaf from incense smoke and dust. It can now pass to someone well acquainted with their inner samurai.

Signature/Maker’s Mark: Nonexistent. Statue dimensions: 5 inches high x 2.5 inches wide x 1.5”d. See less