Private Collection |
Antique
Japanese Carved Okimono
Manjusri
Monju
on Snow Lion
Edo, Circa 18th-19th Century
H
3.2in.(8cm.), W 2.25in.(5.5cm.), D 1in.(2.5cm.)
Condition: Good w. small age crack
Cream
to golden tones with burnished lights enliven the surface. This small statue of
the Buddha Manjusri_ the personification of knowledge and wisdom, full of benevolence,
being also associated with happiness and good fortune, is seen here riding upon
a golden haired lion, representing his courageous power over the forces of life
and death. He is holding a sacred book of scriptures. His hair is arranged in
a high bun, fronted with a crown bearing an abbreviated image of Amitabha. He
sits upon a lotus which seems to spring from a cloud atop the lion’s back. A cub
is seen at the lion’s left paw, indicating that this lion is a female. Also intriguing
is the expression of the animal and its physiognomy in general. Since lions were
unknown in Japan, the need to depict one brings up many sorts of fabulous and
imaginative interpretations. The incomparable characterization of this beast is
full of personality. Rather than the usual forbidding appearance, this lion with
its eyes gaping upward toward its rider offers a shaggy dog-like head, and with
jaws agape showing uneven fangs and a bulbous nose, it has a endearing appearance
which suggest spiritual consciousness well suit for this guardian of buddhist
dharma. |
