Antique Japanese Ivory Okimono
Bishamon
God of Luck
Signed, Meji Period, (1868-1911)
H 4.75" (12cm), W 1.75" (4.5cm), D 1" (2.54cm.)
Carved from quality elephant ivory.
Good condition, break on handle.

Bishamon is usually depicted wearing armor, carries a lance in one hand. Among the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, he is regarded as a God of Wealth. Japanese legend believes that Bishamon grants good fortune more swiftly than the flight of an arrow from the bow. Yet interestingly enough he is seldom carved as a netsuke apart from the group of Seven Gods. However, this is by no mean a doubt of his popularity. In fact, the origin of Bishamon can be traced back to the Hindu pantheon. He is one of the 12 Devas (Heavenly Kings) found in the Womb Mandala in the Esoteric Buddhism. His name in sanskrit is Vaisravana. He is the guardian of the northern direction. The oldest image of Bishamon can be found carved on a cliff at Usuki on the island of Kyushu during the Heian period (794-1184). A two meter height Bishamon wood statue dated 9th century is in the treasure chamber of the To-Ji in Kyoto.

Private Collection