altar cabinets, cabinets, sculpture,

Altar cabinet, black lacquered outside, yellow on the inside (detached in some places, wilting reddish brown surface), fittings. Contains one on the lotustron and in turn lion seated bodhisattva, Monju, with a large crown and pendants. Halo with a cloud meeting. Monju and Fugen (whose equestrian is an elephant) were prince brothers born during Sakyamuni’s lifetime and often perform together all three. When the Buddha first appeared, either he sat or stood on a lion throne and Monju is a repertory for the power of Buddhist law, as it is expressed in the lion’s roaring. According to Monju Shiri Hannehangyo sutra, Monju died 451 years after Buddha. He is the bodhisattva of wisdom (and usually bears the sword of knowledge). White.: Smith, Harris, Clark 1990 p 37, Catalogue No 28.