{"product_id":"iro-bizen-monju-bosatsu-on-shishi-koro-incense-burner","title":"Iro Bizen Monju Bosatsu on Shishi Koro Incense Burner","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eA superb rendition of the wise Monju Bosatsu reading a hand scroll at rest atop his Shishi Lion created as a Koro censer in the Iro Bizen style, also called Saishoku Bizen.  It is 28 x 22 x 28.5 cm (11 x 9 x 11-1\/2 inches) and is in excellent condition. Monju Bosatsu is one of the key bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. He is particularly venerated in Zen and Esoteric Buddhist traditions in Japan, as well as in Tibetan Buddhism, considered a protector of scholars and students. Monju Bosatsu embodies the enlightened wisdom of the Buddha and represents deep understanding and clarity of thought. He is often invoked by those seeking intellectual and spiritual guidance. Monju is often depicted holding a sword in his right hand, which symbolizes the sharpness of wisdom to cut through ignorance and delusion, while in his left hand, he may hold a lotus flower or a scroll of Buddhist teachings, representing knowledge and the Dharma. He is frequently shown seated on a lion, as here, symbolizing courage and the power of wisdom to overcome obstacles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBizen pottery, one of Japan’s oldest ceramic traditions, originates from Bizen Province (modern-day Okayama Prefecture) and dates back over 1,000 years. Renowned for its unglazed, earthy textures and natural ash glazes, it emerged during the Heian period (794–1185) and flourished in the Momoyama period (1573–1600). Saikumono, small, intricate sculptural pieces, became a hallmark, showcasing artisans' creativity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe Kitchoan Museum holds a matching figure of Fugen Bosatsu on an elephant, and they say: Bizen ware, which enjoyed widespread acclaim throughout Japan from the medieval period to the Momoyama period, saw its prominence wane with the arrival of the Edo period. It was overshadowed by ceramics from regions such as Seto, Mino, and Arita. In response to this situation, Bizen kilns sought to reclaim their standing by developing new techniques, including saishiki Bizen (colored Bizen ware). Under the guidance of official painters employed by the Okayama domain, they created low-fired figurines of people and animals, which were then painted with gofun (white pigment) and mineral pigments. These works were primarily used as gifts for the shogunate and other domains. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kura Monzen Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49377213743351,"sku":"K424","price":927900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0658\/7472\/3063\/files\/2026-05-3011.11.10.jpg?v=1780111502","url":"https:\/\/kuramonzen.com\/products\/iro-bizen-monju-bosatsu-on-shishi-koro-incense-burner","provider":"Kura Monzen Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}