An Old Lacquered Zushi: Portable Shrine

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
when closed: 9" x 5" x 4 1/4", 23 cm x 12.75 cm x 11 cm

This small, lacquered and gilt object is the housing part of a portable shrine called a zushi. The beautifully detailed, hinged devotional altar would have contained the effigy of a god which is now missing.

The Buddhist object is made of black lacquered wood with doors whose interior parts are gilded, probably with gold dust. The back of the zushi seems to have been similarly treated however the gold color has disappeared over time.

Seen on the front of the zushi is elaborately tooled metal that forms the lock or closure, while similarly fancy metal fittings can be found on the hinges and base.

What is easy to see from looking at the photos here is that the zushi has some loss to its lacquer and has some fairly obvious abrasion to the surface parts. As well, be careful in handling the zushi as top part might release itself from the base: the connection is not secure.

Still, this is a marvelous thing with a soulful character, indeed it is imbued with lots of good energy as it no doubt was the steward of a Buddhist  god who was the object of much devotion.

Lovely.