Japanese Zushi Portable Shrine Meji Period Wood. Buddhist Shinto Shrine

Exquisite little Japanese Zushi Shrine Wood, with metal statue. I'm unsure who the deity is.

This is a very old personal traveling alter, shrine. The buddha inside is from a later date and is made of metal from a mold. The case is a simple black lacquer over wood with brass hinges and lock. The lacquer is chipped and scratched in parts, and looks like it’s been repaired at some point. otherwise in good condition for its age. Please refer to pictures. 

13cm x 10cm x 6.5cm

408g

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Zushi is a miniature shrine in which Buddhist images, carvings or rolls of sutras kyou 経, are kept. Reliquary miniature shrines vary in shape and size. Some are free-standing square, rectangular, cylindrical or oval shaped. Others are shaped like a temple building and still others are three-sided and attached to the inside wall of the building in which it is kept. They have double-hinged doors each with a two-fold leaf or double doors. If the shape of the reliquary for enshrining Buddhist relics *sharitou 舎利塔, suggests a pagoda *tou 塔 or *houtou 宝塔, the body is usually circular and the roof is pyramidal *hougyou yane 宝形屋根.

Most miniature shrines are constructed of wood, but some are made of iron or gilt bronze. Miniature shrines were made in the 7-8c, but became more widespread after the Esoteric Buddhist sects, Tendai 天台 and Shingon 真言, were introduced from China in the 9c. Temple construction sponsored by these sects steadily increased after that time. The zushi made in miniature temple forms often provide important information about the architectural style of the period. Example, *Tamamushi no zushi 玉虫厨子 owned by Houryuuji 法隆寺 (mid-7c) in Nara.