Standing Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara) | Edo Period Wooden Statue with Carved Halo Mandorla | Gilt Details, Altar Base | 51 cm

Standing Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara) | Edo Period Wooden Statue with Carved Halo Mandorla | 51 cm

Attribution: Kannon Bosatsu. Crowned bodhisattva iconography visible in the photographs.

Curator’s Note

A calm, crowned bodhisattva stands in quiet authority—an Edo-period devotional image whose elegance is inseparable from its purpose: compassion made visible. This is Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara), presented as a standing figure with a richly carved halo mandorla and an integrated altar base.

While the original listing labels the work as Amida, the iconography indicates Kannon: a jeweled crown and bodhisattva ornaments are not attributes of Amida Nyorai. The composition reads as a complete altar-format presentation even without a full cabinet, with the halo field acting as a sanctified frame of presence.

Kannon’s role in Japanese religious life is uniquely intimate—invoked for protection, mercy, healing, and guidance. Collectors often describe Kannon images as “livable” sacred art: visually harmonious in a home while still iconographically potent. At 51 cm overall, this piece offers temple-grade presence in a manageable, collector-friendly format.

Who is this deity?

Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara) is the bodhisattva of compassion: the one who “hears” the cries of beings and responds. In Japan, Kannon appears in many forms, each emphasizing a different mode of saving action. Crowned and ornamented, Kannon is depicted as an enlightened being who remains engaged with the world, a compassionate intermediary who can be approached by ordinary people.

Identification check (Kannon vs Amida)

• Crowned head + ornaments: Kannon is crowned; Amida (a Buddha) is not.
• Jewelry and armlets: bodhisattva adornment, not Buddha monastic austerity.
• Iconographic grammar: standing crowned savior with halo field aligns with Kannon altar statuary traditions.

Details

• Type: Standing bodhisattva statue with carved halo mandorla and altar base
• Material: Wood with traces of gilt/polychrome (visual assessment)
• Period: Edo period (listed; style-consistent)
• Overall height: approx. 51 cm
• Overall width: approx. 19 cm
• Figure height: approx. 28 cm

Condition

Age-consistent wear is present. Expect surface abrasion, patina, and small losses consistent with devotional objects. Please review photographs for precise condition. Measurements are approximate.

Collector relevance

• Corrected deity attribution improves scholarly and market clarity.
• Complete altar-format silhouette (figure + halo + base) reads as a finished devotional composition.
• Edo-period religious sculpture: a stable, widely collected category with deep iconographic tradition.
• Practical scale for private display while retaining temple-grade presence.

Collector’s Resonance

This piece is for collectors who want sacred sculpture that feels genuinely “alive” in a room—quietly powerful, visually complete, and culturally legible. It suits the collector drawn to compassion iconography, pilgrimage culture, and Edo-period household devotion.

Confidence & verification notes

• Deity attribution is corrected from the original listing based on visible iconographic markers.
• Period is treated as a well-supported estimate without hands-on examination.
• Exact materials, restorations, and age cannot be fully confirmed from photos alone.

Shipping

We will pack with halo-protection bracing so no pressure is applied to the mandorla perimeter during transit.

HS code decision block (antique vs modern)

Listed as Edo period (antique claim). If confirmed over 100 years, use an antique classification pathway where applicable. Classify as a modern wood sculpture / religious art object under the appropriate schedule.

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.