A HÔTÔ ZUSHI WITH NYOIRIN KANNON BOSATSU INSIDE

Description:

Japan, Edo period, 18th/19th ct.
H. 90 cm
Seated in rajalila, two attributes of the four hands missing, the figure and shrine of lacquered and gilded wood and the fittings of chiselled and gilt copper. Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu, here represented in its rare esoteric form with four arms instead of the usual six, holds the wish-granting jewel (nyoi hôju) in her proper right hand and the wheel of the law (hôrin) in her subsidiary left hand, by which Nyoirin Kannon saves all beings and bestows worldly and spiritual riches. The proper left hand formerly held a lotus flower, while the subsidiary right hand is held to the cheek in the gestures of contemplation (shi’i), and allegedly expressing the vow to save beings in hell. The soles of the feet touching are another iconographic feature of this bosatsu.
Former old German private collection, acquired prior to 2007
Partly traces of age and slightly chipped, gilding partly later