Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
I was able to obtain a very rare item.
This is a sculpture of the god ``Shinzo''.
"Shin" = God
"zo" = statue
Since ancient times in Japan, it has been believed that gods reside in all things in the universe, and there have been many shrines.
In the 6th century, Buddhism was introduced and gradually spread throughout Japan.
Around the 8th century, the idea that gods follow the teachings of Buddha spread.
Until the Edo period, God and Buddha became one and the idea of ``Shinto and Buddhism syncretism'' was established.
This statue was created during such a history.
Originally, the image of God was invisible and could not be understood as something tangible.
However, with the introduction of Buddhism to Japan, idol worship was also introduced, and the idea that the gods follow the teachings of Buddha was also propagated at the same time in order to spread the teachings of Buddhism.
Around that time, around the 9th century, the first statues of gods...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Japanese Other Antique Softwood Decorative Objects