Japanese Wood figure of Jizo, Edo period, circa 1800.
Japanese mingei-style wood figural carving of Jizo Bosatsu, (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva), the popular Buddhist patron monk of travelers and children. Hand carved from one solid piece of hinoki (Japanese Cypress) in the stylistic chiseled angular style in the round referred to as ichiboku-zukuri. The standing monk rendered in draping robes open at the chest and a kesa (priest’s over mantle) with a strap at the shoulder. The right hand holds a wire shakuju (priest’s staff). The left hand holds the chintamani (a wish fulfilling gem). He stands on a lotus blossom base further supported on a tiered octagonal faceted base. He has a bald or shaven head, elongated earlobes and linear facial features. He is skillfully carved with no finish just a natural accumulation of smoke. The underside of the base has a chiseled texture with an inked illegible marking.
Minor signs of age and wear otherwise excellent condition.
14-3/8 in. high x 3-1/2 in. wide x 3-1/4 in. deep.  (36.5 x 9 x 8.2 cm)
1 lb. (443g.)
Edo period, circa 1800.

Provenance:
Estate of Daniel W. Collins, Moorestown, NJ.

Note:
Ichiboku-zukuri carvings were made famous by the artist Enku (1632-1695). He is known as the wandering sculptor monk and carved Buddhist figures from one piece of wood in places all over Japan. It is said that he carved over 1000 Jizo figures and offered them all to one of Japan’s most sacred places, Osorezan, the temple on Mount Osore, Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture, Northern Tohoku.