A RARE JAPANESE POLYCHROME LACQUERED WOOD CARVING OF A PROTECTIVE DEITY

A RARE JAPANESE POLYCHROME LACQUERED WOOD CARVING OF A PROTECTIVE DEITY

EDO PERIOD, PROBABLY 18TH CENTURY

The youth depicted standing, with his right hand up in the abhaya mudra gesture of fearlessness and holding a staff in his other hand, his head slightly turned to the left and with a defiant look on his face; he wears a coat embellished with circular mon (crests), and scrolling tendrils and peonies in gilt; his red trousers with further floral decoration in gold; attached to a later rectangular base, 20.5cm. (2)

This carving probably represents a Shinto kami, one of the Juugo douji, the fifteen disciples of thee goddess Benzaiten; or Zennishi Doji, the son of the Buddhist god Bishamonten. These protective deities are often depicted as youths carrying various attributes and wearing classical garments. This carving was probably displayed in a zushi shrine or as part of a larger altar. See the British Museum, access. no. 1886,0322.16 for a carving of Zennishi Doji in similar style, part of an altar dedicated to Bishamonten.