Seated Shinto Shrine Figure

Artist/Culture Japanese

DateEdo period, 17th c.-early 18th c.

MediumWood, originally polychromed

Dimensions34 x 34 x 14.4 cm (13 3/8 x 13 3/8 x 5 11/16 in.)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineGift of Alexander H. Bullock, Worcester, MA

Terms

Object number1953.56

Label TextThis seated figure is of a type associate with the art of Shinto, the native Japanese religion in which both males and females appear in traditional court dress. The costume and the tablet of rank which the figure holds suggest that this may be a representation of an individual associated with an individual shrine. These figures were not portraits in the sense of a psychological and physical likeness but were generalized portraits in which the individual had to be identified by written documentation which is missing in this case. The figure was originally polychromed. ProvenanceJ. van Loenen Martinet, Amsterdam; Alexander H. Bullock

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