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Shingon “San-son” Devotional Trio — Dainichi Nyorai, Fudo Myoo, and Kobo Daishi (Polychrome Wood Figures) — Compact Altar-Ready Set with Gilt Accents
Shingon “San-son” Devotional Trio — Dainichi Nyorai, Fudo Myoo, and Kobo Daishi (Polychrome Wood Figures) — Compact Altar-Ready Set with Gilt Accents
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Curatorial Overview
This compact Shingon devotional trio presents a complete esoteric worldview in three figures: Dainichi Nyorai as the cosmic center, Fudo Myoo as the protective force of fierce compassion, and Kobo Daishi (Kukai) as the lineage anchor. Together they form a coherent altar-ready constellation: principle, protection, and transmission.
Dainichi Nyorai functions as the axis. In Shingon, Dainichi is not simply “one Buddha among many,” but the cosmic ground of awakening—the source from which mandala worlds unfold. A Dainichi figure in the home is a statement of center: a devotional focus that is both transcendent and structurally ordering. When placed as the set’s heart, Dainichi establishes calm authority and doctrinal clarity.
Fudo Myoo is the necessary counterweight: fierce compassion rendered as protection. Fudo’s iconography is not aggression for its own sake; it is the vow to cut delusion and defend the path when practice meets obstruction. In domestic settings, Fudo functions as boundary and resolve—an icon that protects the sanctum and strengthens intention. Even in miniature, the flame halo and fixed stance communicate the “immovable” posture: steady, unyielding, and protective.
Kobo Daishi completes the triangle with lineage. A founder figure is not a replacement for the Buddha; it is the anchor of transmission—the reminder that the teachings were carried, taught, and lived. In Shingon homes, Kobo Daishi often becomes the intimate presence: a bridge between cosmic doctrine and daily life, a figure of gratitude and continuity.
Materially, the set presents as polychrome wood with gilt/metallic accents (category-typical for devotional figures of this type). At this scale, the value is not mass but legibility: whether each figure reads instantly as its role within the triad. Here, the set’s power is conceptual completeness—three figures that map the Shingon cosmology, its protective force, and its human lineage into a single altar-ready ensemble.
Executed as polychrome wood figures with gilt/metallic accents (category-typical), the set’s value lies in legibility and completeness rather than scale. It is ideal for a home altar, study altar, travel shrine, or secondary sanctum.
Figures & Dimensions (Approx.)
- Dainichi Nyorai: H 20.0 cm × W 9.5 cm × D 6.5 cm
- Fudo Myoo: H 18.9 cm × W 8.0 cm × D 5.0 cm (base W approx. 7.4 cm)
- Kobo Daishi: H 16.0 cm × W 8.3 cm × D 5.3 cm (base W approx. 6.9 cm)
Condition
Wear and some soiling consistent with age, handling, or prior display. Conservation posture: dry, gentle, reversible care only; avoid solvents, oils, and wet wiping on polychrome surfaces.
HS Code Guidance
- Common classification: 4420.10 (Wood statuettes and other ornaments)
- Alternates used by brokers: 4420.90; 9703.00
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.
