As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this most rare late Edo period iron okimono by Unno Shomin (1844-1915), the serene sculpture depicts Monju Bosatsu seated upon a large lion dog (Shishi) whilst clutching a detatchable silver sceptre. The jewels adorning his body inlaid in gold, the shishi''s eyes of gilt with black pupils, the base inset with a silver plaque and signed in chiselled characters Suifu no ju Unno Motohira saku (made by Unno Motohira in Mito). The okimono fits snugly within its original tomobako, the inscription reads, Monju Bosatsu okimono, the inside of the lid inscribed Monju Bosatsu no zu tetsu okimono, Unno Shomin sensei Mito zaiju seinenki no saku Motohira zaimei (Iron okimono of Monju Bosatsu made by Master Unno Shomin when he was young and living in Mito, with signature Motohira) and signed Hakuzanshi Toyokawa Mitsunaga no sho (certified by Hakuzanshi Toyokawa Mitsunaga, (probably II ) with two seals Hakuzanshi and Shinryusai....