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Japanese bone head wooden small Buddha statue/Benzaiten/Muromachi to Edo period

Price:$847.63

$1,200List Price

About the Item

This is a wooden statue of Benzaiten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, believed to have been made in Japan between the late Muromachi period and the mid-Edo period, from the 16th to the 18th century. Benzaiten originated from the Indian goddess Sarasvati and has long been worshipped in Japan as the goddess of music, eloquence, learning, and financial fortune. When depicted as one of the Seven Lucky Gods, she is often shown holding weapons or a jewel, and is beloved as a deity who bestows blessings and prosperity. There is a reference photo of a wooden Benzaiten from the Kamakura period designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, which I have attached for your reference. The original statue is believed to have had eight arms, but currently only two arms remain on either side, with the other six having been lost. It is speculated that the right hand held a sword and the left hand held a jewel, and the original structure can be inferred from the joints on the back. Additionally, the carvings on the existing head, torso, and legs reveal beautiful forms that suggest the former splendor of the statue. The statue was made from high-quality cypress wood with its straight grain and dense texture, and the beauty of the wood grain is apparent throughout. In particular, a piece of cypress wood is joined to the front part from the knees down, suggesting that the wood was glued together and the entire statue was carved in the initial production stage. This shows the woodcarving techniques and skillful construction of the Buddhist statue sculptors of the time. Although it is believed that pigments were applied to the surface, the overall appearance is darkened by soot and other factors, which adds depth and charm to the statue. The dark atmosphere and the wood grain visible beneath the peeling surface embody the world of “wabi-sabi,” evoking a serene beauty born of the passage of time. For display purposes, the included transparent acrylic stand allows for a slightly floating installation, further emphasizing the presence of the statue. A wooden storage box is also included, labeled with the characters for “Benzaiten” in ink. The lower left corner of the box is marked “Heian period,” but this is an error from a later period, and the actual production period is considered to be the late Muromachi to early Edo periods, as mentioned earlier. Although small in size, this statue has a dignified presence and blends well with modern interiors. Simply placing it in a quiet space will bring a special atmosphere to the room. It can be used in a variety of spaces, such as a tokonoma, on top of a chest of drawers, or in a modern gallery space, as a piece that embodies the ancient Japanese beliefs and aesthetic sense. This Buddha statue possesses a presence that transcends that of a mere antique art piece, as if it were imbued with prayer, time, and the soul of its creator. It quietly accompanies daily life, bringing a sense of calm to those who behold it. This is a beautiful Benzaiten statue with a wabi-sabi atmosphere and highly skilled carving. I highly recommend it. Size: Width 11.7 cm × Depth 10.1 cm × Height 21.4 cm Weight: 232 g Item Number: SC124 【We mainly sell old Japanese items, but also items from around the world. We have seen tens of thousands of items so far. Using that experience, we list appealing items here. This is something we can do because of our long experience. If you are looking for something special, we encourage you to purchase it on our site.】

Dimensions:
Height: 8.43 in (21.4 cm)Width: 4.61 in (11.7 cm)Depth: 3.98 in (10.1 cm)
Style:
Edo (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Cypress,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
Early 17th Century
Date of Manufacture:
14-18century
Condition:
Seller Location:
Sammu-shi, JP
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5487245980732

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