Wood Figure Of Oni

[Higo-san]

Dear all,

 

I do not know much about this guy - he is about 30cm tall and his eyes are made of glass. The arms are glued to the body as is the lower part of the body.

 

I am happy for every piece of information!

 

Chris

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi Chris:

 

I think he is an  "Oni Ni Kanabo" (Demon with Club) 鬼に金棒 

 

I think he falls into the category of Yōkai or Folklore Monster.

[Geraint]

Dear Chris.

 

Not sure how this works in Germany but in the UK major museums are quite open to looking at things and giving opinions on them, they certainly won't give a value in the UK but they would tell you as much as they can about the piece.  Perhaps worth asking around to see if they will do that for you?

 

All the best.

[Higo-san]

Dear Malcolm,

 

thank you for the information! This is much appreciated.

 

Dear Geraint,

 

that is a good idea. However, I was hoping for a bit input from board members. The reason being that at least in Germany experts working at museums usually have a very general education and are rarely specialised on Asian art or even a more specific subject (in particular when it comes to Japanese art). Thus, art collectors often know more about their specific subjects than the museums do.

 

Best,

 

Chris

[uwe]

............ The reason being that at least in Germany experts working at museums usually have a very general education and are rarely specialised on Asian art or even a more specific subject (in particular when it comes to Japanese art). Thus, art collectors often know more about their specific subjects than the museums do.

Best,

Chris

Unfortunately true, in many cases!

[Henry Wilson]

During the 8th century, the imperial regimes in Nara pushed Buddhism north and integrated Buddhist concepts into the indigenous people's culture as part of a colonisation programme says Yiengpruksawan, M. H. (1998). "Hiraizumi: Buddhist art and regional politics in twelfth century Japan." p.22.

 

To me the little fella has a certain "folk art" look to him, and considering the above information, he might be a localised (possibly Tohoku area) rendition of a Nio guardian. Compare the statues in the link. Similar but less horny

 

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/nio.shtml

[uwe]

Henry,

I think we must consider, that Nio guards are related to Buddhism, whereas Oni are part of the Shinto religion. Cool little dude, BTW

[Henry Wilson]

Indeed. Graft a Buddhist concept on to an indigenous image to legitimise it.

 

Wild spectulation on my part, but fun none the less.

[Higo-san]

Thank you for the link and input, Henry and Uwe! Folk art is quite good guess IMHO, too. Here are a couple of pictures from the back and bottom.

[Henry Wilson]

No probs Chris.

 

Just found this link. Might be of interest.

 

http://fudosama.blogspot.jp/2005/02/oni-Japanese-demons.html?m=1

[Guido]

I think we must consider, that Nio guards are related to Buddhism, whereas Oni are part of the Shinto religion.

 

Well, both. Oni were incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon as early as the 13'th century.

[Bazza]

Thank you for the link and input, Henry and Uwe! Folk art is quite good guess IMHO, too. Here are a couple of pictures from the back and bottom.

He is certainly a cool looking dude and has an air of great age to him.  He looks as if he is scared stiff, as if some big, bearded bloke is chasing him with a sword...

 

BaZZa.

[uwe]

Well, both. Oni were incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon as early as the 13'th century.

Wasn`t aware of that Guido. Were Tengu also "stolen" by the Buddhists? ... 

Seems something is missing for his left hand Chris...?!

[Guido]

Wasn`t aware of that Guido. Were Tengu also "stolen" by the Buddhists?

 

AFAIK, yes. Buddhism and Shintōism got pretty mixed up in Japan and drew from one another. The principle of sticking to a single, exclusive religion isn't a Japanese concept. People here have Shintōist weddings and Buddhist funerals, and don't see any conflict in that.

[Higo-san]

It does not look like there is something missing in his left hand, Uwe :D!

[uwe]

AFAIK, yes. Buddhism and Shintō[/size]ism got pretty mixed up in Japan and drew from one another. The principle of sticking to a single, exclusive religion isn't a Japanese concept. People here have Shintō[/size]ist weddings and Buddhist funerals, and don't see any conflict in that.

I noticed that at our trip in 2013. But thought, that they exist kind of "side by side" and practiced parallel instead mixed up. Thanks for clarifying this Guido!