Antique Japanese Hand-Carved Stone Pagoda "Five Elements" Sculpture Statue 66"

Description

An exquisite monumental granite stone five roof pagoda tower from Japan, late Meiji to Taisho period, (1900-1926). A spiritual representation of five earthly and celestial elements. Godai (五大, lit. "five – great, large, physical, form") are the five elements in Japanese Buddhist thought of earth (chi), water (sui), fire (ka), wind (fu), and void (ku). Its origins are from the Indian Buddhist concept of Mahābhūta, disseminated and influenced by Chinese traditions before being absorbed, influenced, and refined into and by Japanese tradition, culture, and indigenous folk religions

The monumental carved stone sculptural tower fashioned in six cascading parts with a tall incised five ring finial Hoju representative of each of the five elements. Japan’s stone pagodas were the Japanese Buddhist versions of Chinese pagodas and originally Indian stupas. By the Meiji era, the word to came to mean tower and a pagoda's size was measured in ken, where a ken is the interval between two pillars of a traditional-style building.

This beautifully hand-carved sculpture will make an exceptional visual statement and substantial conversational piece in any garden.

Condition

Good Antique Condition; Wear consistent with age and use. Past repair to topper, missing corner to one of the rooftops. Cracking to topper

Dimensions

66" x 17" x 17"