218 - A BRONZE FIGURE OF DAINICHI NYORAI

A BRONZE FIGURE OF DAINICHI NYORAI Japan, dated 1686, H 36 cm., figure 19 cm. Dark patina and traces of gilding. Mahavairocana, the cosmic Buddha with hands forming the chiken-in mudra (wisdom gesture), is depicted as a bodhisattva wearing a crown, jewellery and a shawl, with a finely rendered hairstyle with abundant curls. Inscribed on the back: Hônô Fujisan Dainichinyorai; the lotus leaves and ring bear references to various donors, some with Buddhist honorary names, and a principal donor. Dated hinoetora Jôkyô 3 (1686). Halo missing. Provenance: Swiss private collection, acquired from an old private US estate. The reference to Mount Fuji stems from the fusion of Shintoism and Buddhism: at the heart of this syncretism lies the belief that Mount Fuji is not merely the earthly abode of a deity, but the physical manifestation of Dainichi Nyorai himself. * The full tax is charged on this item marked *, i.e. VAT is charged on the sum will be refunded to Purchasers providing a validly stamped export declaration.