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Edo Period Gilt Portable Zushi Shrine with Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō) Panels | Japanese Buddhist Devotional Altar
Edo Period Gilt Portable Zushi Shrine with Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō) Panels | Japanese Buddhist Devotional Altar
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Edo Period Portable Buddhist Zushi Shrine
This Edo-period zushi is a compact portable Buddhist shrine intended for private devotional use. Designed to open into a sacred micro-architecture, the shrine features gilt interior surfaces and painted door panels depicting protective figures associated with the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō), guardians of the Buddhist world and defenders of the Dharma.
At the center is a lotus-based altar assembly, originally intended to enshrine a small icon or sacred object. The combination of lacquered surfaces, aged gilt, and mineral pigments reflects refined late Edo craftsmanship focused on intimacy rather than scale.
Zushi of this form were used in domestic worship, travel, or monastic practice. Wear, patina, and small losses are consistent with age and devotional handling and contribute to the object’s authenticity as a lived religious artifact.
MATERIAL, PERIOD & ATTRIBUTION
- Period: Edo period (17th–19th century)
- Materials: Wood, lacquer, gilt surfaces, painted pigments, metal fittings
- Form: Portable zushi (Buddhist devotional shrine)
- Iconography: Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō) guardian imagery
CONDITION & CONSERVATION NOTES
- General surface wear and patina consistent with age
- Minor losses, abrasions, and pigment wear visible
- Glass and metal components show age-related imperfections
- No modern restoration observed
DIMENSIONS
- Main shrine width: approx. 5.6 cm
- Main shrine height: approx. 15 cm
- Internal altar height: approx. 20 cm
Collector’s Relevance
This piece is suited for collectors of Japanese Buddhist art, Edo-period devotional objects, or scholars interested in portable religious practice. Its scale, iconographic program, and intact architectural form make it an excellent reference example of personal zushi production.
Authenticity & Stewardship
Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:
- Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
- Iconographic and stylistic verification
- Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
- Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation
Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.
A Note on Stewardship and Collecting
At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.
Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.
Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration
Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.
If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.
Concierge Support & Collector Guidance
Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.
For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.
Before Proceeding
We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.
A Closing Note
Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.
If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.
