Antique Japanese Carved Jizo Bosatsu Ksitigarbha Buddha Wood Butsudan Zushi Shrine 地藏菩薩

Antique Japanese Wood Buddha Butsudan Jizo Bosatsu 地藏菩薩 Ksitigarbha As Young Monk Origin: possibly Late Edo, Japan, Circa: Meiji, 1868-1912 H 18.5 in. (47cm), W 7.5 in. (19cm), D 4 in. (10cm) Condition: abrasions, paint loss, and minor imperfection! A rare lacquer giltwood shrine of Jizo as a young monk holding a budding lotus, standing on an intricately carved small pedestal inside an elongated butsudan, elegantly elevated with the support of a six-tiers lotus podium, firmly balanced by the weight of embedded metal enclosed in the wood base. Jizo, or respectfully as Ojizo-sama, is one of the most loved of all Japanese divinities. His name Ksitigarbha in Sanskrit is literally translated as “Earth Matrix”. He is regarded as the Bodhisattva of hell bounded beings, Savior of Souls, and also believed to be the guardian of children and travelers. Hence this beautifully painted wood statue of Jizo depicts a charming teen boy with a ruby stone third eye, cherry-colored lips and large earlobes