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Ninomiya Kinjiro (Ninomiya Sontoku) Bronze Figure, 36.5cm — Scholar Child Reading While Walking — Cast Metal Japanese Folk Icon Sculpture
Ninomiya Kinjiro (Ninomiya Sontoku) Bronze Figure, 36.5cm — Scholar Child Reading While Walking — Cast Metal Japanese Folk Icon Sculpture
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There are few images in Japanese cultural memory as quietly forceful as the boy who reads while he walks. This figure represents Ninomiya Kinjiro—better known historically as Ninomiya Sontoku—whose life became a national parable of self‑discipline, study, and moral responsibility. The sculpture distills that parable into one gesture: forward motion, eyes down, mind engaged.
The pose is not theatrical. It is instructional. The concentrated expression and compact stance belong to a visual vocabulary developed to communicate diligence as a physical practice. For many collectors, these figures function as more than nostalgia: they read as the material culture of modern Japan’s moral education—where perseverance was taught through images, not slogans.
In form, the piece sits at the intersection of folk icon and crafted object. The cast metal surface catches light along the cheekbones and sleeves, while the base provides a stable footprint suited for shelf, desk, library display, or shop interior. At 36.5 cm, it has presence without demanding a museum plinth.
Who is Ninomiya Kinjiro (Ninomiya Sontoku)?
Ninomiya Sontoku was celebrated for agricultural and community reform, emphasizing ethics, labor, and learning. “Kinjiro” refers to his youth, and the statue type presents him as the hardworking boy—reading while walking, often carrying firewood—turning biography into a moral icon. In the 20th century, this image became closely associated with school culture and the ideal of self‑improvement through daily effort.
Specifications
- Height: approx. 36.5 cm
- Width: approx. 15 cm
- Depth: approx. 19.5 cm
- Weight (net): 3,780 g
- Suggested packed weight (safe estimate): 5.0–6.0 kg
Condition
Expect typical surface wear, small scuffs, and patina consistent with cast metal objects of age and handling. No claims are made about an exact foundry, edition size, or metal purity.
Collector’s Resonance
For the collector who prefers quiet symbols over loud statements—who wants a room to feel like momentum. For someone building a new chapter: study, business, craft, training, language learning, or any long discipline where progress is measured in days, not moments.
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.
