OSHIMA JOUN: A SUPERB BRONZE OF BISHAMONTEN SUBDUING... Lot 140

OSHIMA JOUN: A SUPERB BRONZE OF BISHAMONTEN SUBDUING AN ONI By Oshima Joun (1858-1940), signed Ichijoken Joun with kakihan Japan, c. 1900, Meiji period (1868-1912) Heavily cast in three segments, with Bishamonten (Vaisravana) standing atop a subdued demon above a rocky base, his body in a dynamic pose bending over the demon, a long trident in his hands, dressed in an elaborate armor incised with scrolling clouds, birds, and diaper patterns, and with a sash framing his body. The scene supported on a tiered rectangular base with floral scrolls and key-fret bands, standing on four beast-mask feet. HEIGHT 38.5 cm WEIGHT 10.28 kg Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, few small nicks, light surface scratches, minor warping to the trident, minor surface encrustations, a segment of the element in the oni’s hand lost. Provenance: Estate of Nadean McArthur (1936-2022), Clyde, North Carolina. Bishamonten, the god of war and warriors, is the most powerful of the four guardian kings (Shitenno) corresponding with the four cardinal directions. The guardian of the north, Bishamonten also known as Tamonten, is derived from the Hindu god Kuvera (Kubera), who is a god of wealth. His trident represents the three jewels: the Buddha, the dharma, and the singha (community). The scene depicted here involves Bishamonten, one of the Four Kings of Heaven, who guard against attacks by demons (oni). Here a demon has stolen the stupa (a reliquary symbolizing Buddhist law) that Bishamonten usually carries in his left hand. Oshima Joun (1858-1940) was a professor at Tokyo School of Art from 1887 until 1932 and is regarded as one of the most celebrated bronze-casters of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He exhibited at several of the great international expositions of the era, including Paris (1900), St. Louis (1904) and London (1910). Auction comparison: Compare a related bronze censer by Oshima Joun, signed Ichijoken Joun and with kakihan, dated c. 1900, 55.8 cm high, at Christie’s, Japanese & Korean Art, 24 March 2010, New York, lot 540 (sold for 35,000 USD).