hddennis Posted February 4, 2015 Report Posted February 4, 2015 Just acquired some menuki made into cufflinks. I'm trying to figure out what is on top of the Shishi. The shakudo figure puzzles me. Is it a kanji, bonji, meaning? Howard Dennis Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted February 4, 2015 Report Posted February 4, 2015 Just acquired some menuki made into cufflinks. I'm trying to figure out what is on top of the Shishi. Howard Dennis Shishi? Shishi with thumbs and primate hind feet? Puzzled, too. Quote
leo Posted February 4, 2015 Report Posted February 4, 2015 While the other two are of more traditional shape, this one is really funny! It has a hairy apelike body, bangles on hands and feet, a shishi head and a kind of saddle. Maybe something from an early carnival or freak show? :beer: Martin Quote
paulb Posted February 4, 2015 Report Posted February 4, 2015 Hi Martin I think this is a demon rather than Shishi. Doesnt help with what's on top of him but if you look for images of demons you might find your answer. regards Paul Quote
Guido Posted February 4, 2015 Report Posted February 4, 2015 This seems to be an oni 鬼 that is pinned down by the bonji 梵字 "bei" (which stands for north [kita 北]). I've seen something similar before, but can't recall where. But I also could be totally off, who knows . Quote
Ford Hallam Posted February 4, 2015 Report Posted February 4, 2015 It's a stylised Siddham character,. (middle, bottom row.) They're known as Bonji in Japanese. Sanskrit is written in this Siddham alphabet and single characters can represet various dieties, prayers or sutras. This one is read as 'Vai' and represents Vaiśravana (in Sanskrit) and known as Bishamonten in Japan. He's one of the 12 'Guardian Kings' ( or 4, depending on which sect you follow) originating in Indian Buddhism. In Japan he's regarded as the 'God of War' Quote
Soshin Posted February 4, 2015 Report Posted February 4, 2015 Hi Howard, In some sects of Buddhism Bishamonten is one of the four heavenly kings (I.e. gods) and is associated with the northern direction as well as war. He along with the three other kings are associated with and are the attendants for Kannon Butatsu. He like all the other heavenly kings has his own associated Bonji character that is the seed syllable of his mantra. Quote
hddennis Posted February 4, 2015 Author Report Posted February 4, 2015 Thanks fellows, I really appreciate the help. Once again this proves what I've always thought as I study any of my latest finds for my collection. I seem to get frustrated whenever I can't figure out what the artist is trying to portray. Others not familiar with oriental art tell me I'm reading too much into it but my belief has always been in oriental art nothing is shown without a meaning or purpose. I seemed to fail to follow my own beliefs on this one as I completely missed the hands and feet on the creature and just went with something familiar and assumed it was a Shishi . Howard Dennis Quote
hddennis Posted February 4, 2015 Author Report Posted February 4, 2015 While I have you all in a menuki interpretation mode, what do these depict? Other than fish that is, special meal or occasion? Howard Dennis Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted February 4, 2015 Report Posted February 4, 2015 Hi, Depicts Lotus plant (leaves, seed pod, closed blossom) in addition to Koi. Also, thanks to all others here for your generous input sharing. 1 Quote
Guido Posted February 5, 2015 Report Posted February 5, 2015 I have to correct myself, the Japanese reading isn't only "bei" but "beishiramana" and stands for Bishamonten as Ford pointed out. Quote
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