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Japanese antique two-piece stone statue of a monk/God of the road/Edo period

About the Item

We have a rare stone Buddha in stock. This is a small twin-figure stone carving made in the early to middle Edo period (1600–1800). It features two standing monk-like deities side by side, carved in low relief. While they resemble Jizo Bodhisattva in appearance, this type of stone image is also identified in Japan as Dosojin—local guardian gods who protect travelers and community boundaries. This particular piece was sourced in Gunma Prefecture, and it is believed to have been created in that region or nearby. Statues of this kind were commonly produced in Gunma and Nagano Prefectures, where village-based faith traditions flourished. The figures were likely not sculpted by a professional Buddhist sculptor, but instead by a village carpenter, a local monk, or someone with modest carving skills. That humble origin is reflected in the simplicity and warmth of the design. Unlike the high-relief stone Buddhas found in temples, this Dosojin is charmingly rustic and minimalistic. You can sense the heartfelt prayers of the people who once relied on its protection. These stone guardians were often enshrined at village borders or crossroads to ensure the safety of travelers and ward off misfortune. In some communities, they are still honored today during events like the Dondo-yaki fire festival, performed in front of Dosojin statues—a reminder of their enduring role in local spiritual life. Also, a similar piece was featured in an art book, so I have included a photo of it as a reference. In Japanese spiritual tradition, gods and Buddhas coexist harmoniously. In this context, Dosojin may represent divine figures that take on the appearance of monk-like forms such as Jizo. The carving’s gentle faces and symmetrical posture express quiet strength and serenity. This statue is compact and portable, measuring W10 × D7.5 × H23cm and weighing 2.45kg. It can stand on its own, but it is prone to falling over, so it is a good idea to lean it against a wall in a room, or bury it in the soil a little in a garden Today, it is increasingly rare to find such statues in the marketplace, making this a special piece for collectors or those who appreciate the spiritual beauty of folk traditions. Why not display it by your front door, in your garden, or even on an indoor shelf? Its presence will bring a gentle, grounding energy to any space. Also, I want many people to know the goodness of antiques, so I set the price reasonably. How about showing off to your friends around you? Weight: 2.45kg Size: W10 × D7.5 × H23cm Stone: Andesite Item number:SC116 [We mainly sell old Japanese items. We've seen tens of thousands of items so far. Taking advantage of that experience, we are posting attractive items here. We are able to do this because we have many years of experience. There are parts of Japan that are familiar to Japanese people but are still unknown to the rest of the world. We will continue to offer products that will allow you to fully experience this feeling.]
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.06 in (23 cm)Width: 3.94 in (10 cm)Depth: 2.96 in (7.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Edo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1600-1800
  • Condition:
    It can stand on its own, but it is prone to falling over, so it is a good idea to lean it against a wall in a room, or bury it in the soil a little in a garden.
  • Seller Location:
    Sammu-shi, JP
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5487245033662

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