Zushi (Small Portable Shrine) Containing an Image of the Deity Benzaiten

Zushi (Small Portable Shrine) Containing an Image of the Deity Benzaiten

Benzaiten brings luck, music, poetry, wealth, learning. She is protective of anything flowing, such as water; by extention, words.

Oxford College Library (Oxford, Ga.)

Turner, William Patillo (Purchaser) ; Candler, Warren Akin (Funder)

1800-1894

Zushi (small portable shrine) of the female deity Benzaiten (originally the Hindu deity Saraswati), one of the Seven Lucky Deities. The exterior is covered with red paint or lacquer. Many of the objects originally carried in the deity's hands are missing, but she still holds a club, sword, wish-granting jewel, snake, and the torii gate with old man's face appears on her head.

Japan

wood (plant material)

5.5 x 3.5 x 9 inches

There are no known copyright restrictions on this item. This online reproduction has been made available for individual viewing and reference for educational purposes only, such as personal study, preparation for teaching and research.

Meiji or earlier

Benzaiten

personal shrines