{"product_id":"edo-meiji-zushi-ascetic-monk","title":"Santuario zushi portátil Edo-Meiji con figura tallada de monje asceta, madera policromada, interior dorado, 22 cm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"jp-product\" data-world=\"Sacred Arts\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-lede\"\u003eA seated ascetic, elongated and wrapped in layered robes, meditates within a small zushi whose dark lacquer opens onto gold. Rooted in Shugendō mountain practice and the popular devotion of late Edo and early Meiji Japan, it is a quiet, deeply human icon made for private altars, pilgrims and travel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis intimate zushi presents a rare and evocative example of late Edo to early Meiji popular devotional culture, centered on a sculpted ascetic monk seated in meditative composure. Unlike formal temple icons carved for institutional worship, it belongs to the private, domestic sphere of personal veneration, travel and household altars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure's exaggerated ascetic form, with elongated torso and simplified anatomy, reflects folk-sculptural traditions influenced by Shugendō mountain practice, where spiritual power was associated with bodily discipline, endurance and isolation. The coiled, layered garment carved around the body suggests ritual wrapping or ascetic robes rather than courtly Buddhist vestments, reinforcing the figure's identity as a holy hermit rather than a classical bodhisattva. The expressive face emphasizes calm endurance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe zushi is equally important. Its gilded interior panels create a symbolic sacred space, an architectural microcosm that turns the modest carving into a complete portable altar, and the contrast between dark exterior lacquer and radiant gold interior mirrors Buddhist cosmology: the ordinary world opening inward toward awakened insight. Such pieces were commonly owned by lay practitioners, pilgrims and rural households during the social transition of the Meiji period, when state-supported Buddhism collapsed and devotional practice shifted toward personal, resilient forms. The aesthetic is quiet, introspective and deeply human, far removed from imperial Buddhist splendor yet spiritually intimate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"jp-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Edo to early Meiji period (c. mid-19th century)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wood (carved and assembled), polychrome pigments, lacquered base, gilt interior panels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-carved wooden figure housed within a hinged wooden zushi with gilded interior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Overall height approx. 22 cm · Width approx. 15 cm · Depth approx. 13.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIconography:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ascetic monk (mountain ascetic \/ hermit type), possibly Shugendō-influenced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery good for age overall; assessment based on photographs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo major structural damage observed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSurface wear consistent with age and devotional handling; polychrome pigments remain legible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShrine doors intact and functional.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure is identified by type as a mountain ascetic or hermit, possibly Shugendō-influenced, rather than a named deity; condition assessment is based on photographs. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery from Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacked by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our \u003ca href=\"\/es\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003epublished policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-closing\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/japonista-layaway-privilege-program\"\u003eLayaway Privilege™\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinue browsing: \u003ca href=\"\/es\/collections\/butsudan-japanese-altars-religious-objects\"\u003eButsudan \u0026amp; Altars\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/es\/collections\/buddhist-statues-sacred-art\"\u003eBuddhist Statues \u0026amp; Sacred Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-related\"\u003eRelated pieces: \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/japanese-jizo-bosatsu-stone-relief-gassho-prayer-sekibutsu\"\u003eJizo Bosatsu stone relief in gassho prayer\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/wooden-marishiten-guardian-statue-esoteric-buddhist\"\u003eCarved wood Marishiten guardian on boar\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/nyoirin-kannon-zushi-gilt-polychrome-wood-icon\"\u003eNyoirin Kannon icon in portable zushi\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-cta\" data-world=\"Sacred Arts\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-cta-eyebrow\"\u003eTemple to Home\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonumental statues, zushi shrines and altars travel crated and insured through our Museum-Grade Logistics Suite™. Seeking a particular deity or school? The Hunting Salon™ searches Japan for it. \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/museum-grade-logistics-suite%E2%84%A2\"\u003eArrange crating and freight →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-search\"\u003eCollectors also search: shugendo ascetic statue · antique zushi with monk · japanese folk buddhist carving · mountain ascetic yamabushi figure · edo meiji portable shrine · wabi sabi buddhist folk art\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Japonista","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51932709028133,"sku":null,"price":1480.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/8829\/6229\/files\/EdoMeijiZushiShrineAsceticMonkWoodBuddhistFigure_1.png?v=1769391104","url":"https:\/\/japonista.com\/es\/products\/edo-meiji-zushi-ascetic-monk","provider":"Japonista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}