Japanese Edo (Mid-19thc) Buddhist Boxwood Nyoi & Walnut Netsuke, Sengai

Name: Japanese Edo (Mid-19thc) Buddhist Boxwood Nyoi & Walnut Netsuke, Sengai
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1177929
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Description

Japanese Edo (mid-19thC) Buddhist boxwood ‘lingzhi’ nyoi (ruyi in Chinese) or ceremonial sceptre, with a traditional long handle and a head fashioned like a fist, cloud, or lingzhi mushroom. It has been worked into a root, its shape reminiscent of the lingzhi (or reishi), a fungus or dark mushroom that grows on trees in East Asia. It comes with a lacquered walnut netsuke. Signed ‘Sengai’ on the handle. 45cm long x 10cm wide x 9cm high, weight 150g.

Excellent condition.

The nyoi/ruyi is a sacred object used by monks when chanting sutras and preaching, and symbolizes the transmission of Buddhist teachings. They are constructed from diverse materials, for example the Palace Museum in Beijing houses some 3,000 ruyi variously made of gold, silver, iron, bamboo, wood, ivory, coral, rhinoceros horn, lacquer, crystal, jade and precious gems. The Lingzhi fungus has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries to promote health and longevity. It's also known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’ and is believed to treat the heart, reduce stress and inflammation, and also bring good luck. It’s extremely rare in its natural form, with only two or three out of 10,000 aged trees having lingzhi growth.

Physical Dimensions

Height

9cm (3.54")

Width

45cm (17.72")

Depth

10cm (3.94")

Declaration

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1177929

Dealers Internal Reference

AD1343

Description

Japanese Edo (mid-19thC) Buddhist boxwood ‘lingzhi’ nyoi (ruyi in Chinese) or ceremonial sceptre, with a traditional long handle and a head fashioned like a fist, cloud, or lingzhi mushroom.

“

It has been worked into a root, its shape reminiscent of the lingzhi (or reishi), a fungus or dark mushroom that grows on trees in East Asia.

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

It comes with a lacquered walnut netsuke. Signed ‘Sengai’ on the handle. 45cm long x 10cm wide x 9cm high, weight 150g.

fig 1. Japanese Edo (mid-19thC) Buddhist Boxwood Nyoi & Walnut Netsuke, Sengai — fig 1. Japanese Edo (Mid-19thc) Buddhist Boxwood Nyoi & Walnut Netsuke, Sengai

Excellent condition.

The nyoi/ruyi is a sacred object used by monks when chanting sutras and preaching, and symbolizes the transmission of Buddhist teachings. They are constructed from diverse materials, for example the Palace Museum in Beijing houses some 3,000 ruyi variously made of gold, silver, iron, bamboo, wood, ivory, coral, rhinoceros horn, lacquer, crystal, jade and precious gems. The Lingzhi fungus has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries to promote health and longevity. It's also known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’ and is believed to treat the heart, reduce stress and inflammation, and also bring good luck. It’s extremely rare in its natural form, with only two or three out of 10,000 aged trees having lingzhi growth.