Bishamonten Carving lacquer Weighing almost 30 lbs

Weighing almost 30 lbs

An hourglass shaped sweet press

This andon likely illuminated the exterior entrance to an important room at Meirinji

Vessels like this were made as everyday wares

Bishamonten’s armor is atypical for Japanese warriors and reflects Bishamonten’s continental origins

Bishamonten Carving lacquer Weighing almost 30 lbsBishamonten is a Japanese god of war and a Buddhist protector of shrines and holy places. As one of the Seven Lucky Gods, he protects the great treasure pagoda of Buddhist offerings and divvies these out to faithful believers. Bishamonten is a warrior, an armored war god most often depicted wielding a spear in one hand and a pagoda in the other. This sculpture, from the 1600s, no longer has either. Bishamontens armor is atypical for Japanese warriors