Square wooden shrine with Yakushi Nyorai figure inside

Made:
1801-1900 in Japan
Square wooden shrine with hinged doors Square wooden shrine with hinged doors Square wooden shrine with hinged doors

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Square wooden shrine with hinged doors
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Square wooden shrine with hinged doors
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Square wooden shrine with hinged doors
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Square wooden shrine with hinged doors, open to reveal serene Buddha-like figure holding small flask to contain medicines, called Yakushi Nyorai, Japanese, 1801-1900

Inside this highly decorated Japanese shrine is the Buddhist deity Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and medicine. He is seen here holding his right hand in the gesture (known as mundra) for granting wishes. He traditionally held a flask of medicine in his left hand. However, this is missing. Offerings were possibly left in its place because there is a tiny circular wire within which to place them. This shrine may have been placed in a wealthy family home or monastery. It may have been used in ceremonial rituals with offerings to ensure healing and protection.

Details

Category:
Asian Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A123291
Materials:
complete, wood (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Measurements:
overall (open): 402 mm x 300 mm x 136 mm, 1.36 kg
overall (closed): 400 mm x 152 mm x 135 mm, 1.36 kg
type:
shrine
credit:
Martin, V.C.