Beschreibung:

Japan, Momoyama (1573-1615) to early Edo period (1615-1868) The exterior of the shrine coated in black lacquer with finely incised, ornate copper-gilt fittings with katakiri bori foliate motifs. The reverse of the doors shows a rinza motif in gilt kirigane on gold leaf, which is repeated in carved wood on the arch. The interior reveals an intricately carved figure of Myoken Bosatsu, a Buddhist Japanese manifestation of the Chinese god of literature Kui Xing, in unadorned wood, Chinese shoes and robes, with a long beard and long flowing hair, his left hand resting on his thigh. The Bosatsu is seated on a polychrome rocky outcrop surrounded by crashing red waves reminiscent of cinnabar lacquer. An ornately carved gilt wood pedestal supports the whole. A snake coils around a beautifully carved minogame at the sage’s feet. According to the original collector’s file card accompanying this lot, the “figure appears to represent Myoken Bosatsu, a Buddhist Japanese manifestation of the Chinese god of literature Kwei Sing [Kui Xing, actually an associate of Wen Chang, the god of culture and literature]”. HEIGHT 25 cm (the shrine), HEIGHT 35.5 cm (incl. base) Condition: Extensive wear to lacquer, minimal touchups to casing, some losses. The wooden base may possibly be a later addition, but at least 100 years old. Provenance: From the collection of Patrick Donald (1938-2018). During his time in Toronto as a set designer for the Canadian Broadcasting Company, he studied the martial art of kendo, ultimately becoming a black belt captivated by Japanese culture and its art. He became an avid collector of Japanese art, arms and armor. A file card written by the collector accompanies this lot.