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Japanese antique stone tower / [Gorinto] / 15th-17th century
$2,500
£1,908.95
€2,173.41
CA$3,510.39
A$3,837.55
CHF 2,030.24
MX$45,922.44
NOK 25,831.84
SEK 23,646.43
DKK 16,234.03
About the Item
This is an ancient stupa believed to have been made in Japan between the Muromachi and Momoyama periods, or perhaps the early Edo period. It appears to have been made from granite, with its corners rounded over the years and its surface softened by natural weathering. One of the main attractions of this piece is that, despite being a man-made object, it somehow resembles natural stone.
I found a reference photo of a stupa in a specialist book, so I've included it here as well. Of the four stupas, the one on the bottom right dates to the early Muromachi period. The top two date to the Kamakura period or the end of the Kamakura period.
stupas are stone structures of great importance in Japanese Buddhist culture, originating from the end of the Heian period through the Kamakura period. They are memorial towers symbolizing the five elements that make up the universe—earth, water, fire, wind, and sky—and are considered to be a three-dimensional representation of the soul's return to the cosmos after death. The stacked formations, from the bottom up - a square earth ring, a spherical water ring, a cap-shaped fire ring, a crescent-shaped wind ring, and finally a jewel-shaped sky ring at the top - are like a sculpture that expresses the idea itself in stone.
While this work is faithful to the five-ring philosophy, its size and shape suggest it does not date from before the Kamakura period. Gorinto stupas from before the Kamakura period were primarily built as grave markers for temples and influential samurai, and most were extremely large, too heavy and bulky to be carried by one person. In contrast, with the spread of the culture of personal memorial services during the Muromachi period, many relatively small gorinto stupas were produced. Those around 60-70cm tall are typical of the size that became more common from this period onwards.
Another noteworthy feature is the shape of the fire ring, or the so-called cap. Muromachi period stupas tend to have relatively gentle roof curvatures and remain fairly thick. However, from the Momoyama period through the Edo period, the curvature gradually became stronger and the roof became thinner. The fire ring on this piece is somewhat curved, but its thickness is apparent, suggesting that it could date back to the Muromachi period or early Edo period.
It is also highly likely that this stupa is a reconstruction made by stacking multiple stones. Japan is prone to earthquakes, and stupas have repeatedly collapsed or been damaged. For this reason, historically, stupas have been reassembled by combining the remaining stones and re-enshrining them as stupas in various regions. It is believed that the lower and upper two tiers of this piece were originally assembled from separate stupas, but the overall balance is excellent and there is little visual incongruity. Rather, it evokes a sense of deep layers of time, as if multiple eras and prayers overlap.
Fine lettering is faintly carved into parts of the earth and fire rings. These Sanskrit characters, known as sanskrit letters, were carved as "seeds" symbolizing Buddha and Bodhisattva. Sanskrit characters are not simply letters; they symbolize the very objects of worship. Their current appearance, now obscured by weathering, quietly speaks of long hours of prayer.
The total weight is approximately 57.65 kg, making it an extremely substantial structure. However, because the structure itself is simply stacked stones, there is a slight wobble when rocking it back and forth by the top. To enhance stability, insert rubber or felt sheets between the contact surfaces of the stones and fine-tune their position. We have filmed a video for illustrative purposes, so please take a look.
While the stone may appear slightly tilted from the side, it looks most beautiful from the front. Find that position when installing and admiring it.
This stupa can be enjoyed as a decorative piece in your garden, or placed at your entryway, under the eaves, in a dirt floor space, or even indoors, where it exudes a sculptural presence. This piece complements not only traditional Japanese spaces, but also minimalist contemporary architecture and international interiors, quietly establishing the center of gravity of any space.
A stacked stupa in such good condition and with such refined form is rarely found on the market. Even if some remain in temples, they rarely come into private hands. We were fortunate enough to acquire this piece. It combines period, form, and storytelling, making it a highly recommended piece.
Dimensions: W 24cm x D 24cm x H 69.5cm
Weight: 57.65kg
Product Number: SC149
- Dimensions:Height: 27.37 in (69.5 cm)Width: 9.45 in (24 cm)Depth: 9.45 in (24 cm)
- Style:Edo (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:15th-17th century
- Condition:There is a slight wobble when rocking the stupa by holding it from the top. When installing, you can increase stability by placing rubber or felt sheets between the contact surfaces of the stones and fine-tuning their positioning.
- Seller Location:Sammu-shi, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5487247948212
About the Seller
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