Zen Master Nichiren Shonin Antique Japanese Joined Blocks Gold Gilded Wood Statue 日蓮大聖人

Antique Japanese Joined Hollow Blocks StatueNichiren Daishonin日蓮大聖人Zen Master ShrineCirca: Anei Period, 1780-1817Shrine: H 6 in. (15cm.), W9 in. (22cm.), D 7 in. (17cm.)Figure: H 7 in. (17cm.), W 7 in. (17cm.), D 5 in.(12.5cm.)Total Height: 13 inches (33cm.) An eighteen century Japanese wood shrine of Nichiren Daishonin 日蓮聖人(1222–1282). The master is seated in meditation above a six tiers wood pedestal. Cloaked in a voluminous floating monk robe, firmly holding a Lotus Sutra scroll in his left hand, and a Keisaku in his right. The face of Nichiren is delicately modeled with superb realism. Eyes downcast in mediation, his serene expression is enlivened with crystal-eye inlays. In style, the alluring form of the Dai-Bosatsu alludes to the symmetrical equilibrium in Chinese tradition. Both the figure and pedestal are constructed in joined blocks known as yosegi-zukuri 寄木造. In which the head is composed of the front and back half, the torso and shoulders are joined with separate blocks, a