Stunning life-like painted wood carving of the Japanese monk Kūkai. Dates to the Edo Period, 17th century. Eyes are inset glass. Has an interesting layer of fabric with Japanese handwriting, underneath the paint, exposed in spots where the paint has worn away.
Figure minus stand approximately 9 3/8” tall. Age-appropriate wear and losses. Includes old Japanese wood stand. Please zoom in and study all photos as they are part of the description.
More info from wiki:
Kūkai (空海; 27 July 774 – 22 April 835[1]), born Saeki no Mao (佐伯 眞魚),[2] posthumously called Kōbō Daishi (弘法大師, "The Grand Master who Propagated the Dharma"), was a Japanese Buddhist monk, calligrapher, and poet who founded the esotericShingon school of Buddhism. He travelled to China, where he studied Tangmi (Chinese Vajrayana Buddhism) under the monk Huiguo. Upon returning to Japan, he founded Shingon—the Japanese branch of Vajrayana Buddhism. With the blessing of several Emperors, Kūkai was able to preach Shingon teachings and found Shingon temples. Like other influential monks, Kūkai oversaw public works and constructions. Mount Kōya was chosen by him as a holy site, and he spent his later years there until his death in 835 C.E.
