Portable shrine

Portable shrine of Aizen Myō–ō

Japanese, 18th or 19th century
Lacquered, carved, and painted wood

Our object of the month is a lacquered wood object which is sometimes called a ‘pocket shrine’ or a ‘hand shrine’. The tiny shrine consists of two halves which come together to form a round box. Inside, there is an image of the Buddhist deity Aizen Myō-ō on one side, and a lotus flower on the other. Aizen Myō-ō has red skin and is seated on a lotus throne, wearing a roaring lion headdress. He is holding various emblems in his six hands. Details of Aizen Myō-ō’s robes and the lotus flower inside the other half of the shrine are highlighted in gold.

The shrine is around the same size as the palm of your hand. Its smooth, rounded shape when closed would make it easy to tuck into a pouch or kimono sleeve, so that it could be carried around in daily life. There is another example of a ‘pocket shrine’ in the British Museum collection, which comes with its own ’wickerwork case and silk bag’. There is nothing to keep the two halves of these miniature shrines together, so it is likely that they were originally carried in a small case or bag to secure them.

Interior and exterior of pocket shrine (goshibutsu), lacquered and painted wood, with Aizen Myō-ō inside and a Sanskrit character on the exterior, 18th – 19th century, British Museum collection online, museum number 1945,1017.390

Aizen Myō-ō is one of the ‘Kings of Brightness’ or ‘Wisdom Kings’ - deities who are particularly associated in Japan with esoteric Buddhism. Japanese esoteric Buddhism, practiced by the Shingon and Tendai schools, places importance on secret teachings and rituals which are only available to the initiated. Esoteric Buddhist practices, texts, and works of art were brought to Japan by monks who studied in China in the 9th century.

The Kings of Brightness were believed to be powerful Buddhist deities who could be called upon for protection and favour through certain rituals. They are usually depicted as ‘wrathful’ with fierce expressions and flames surrounding them. Their appearance emphasises their power and ability to subdue any negative forces. Aizen Myō-ō was one of the most popular Kings of Brightness in Japan in the Edo period. The name ‘Aizen’ means ‘dyed’ or ‘stained’ (染,  zen) with love (愛, ai). Aizen Myō-ō is believed to have the power to conquer desire, passion, and love, to help people achieve enlightenment (an escape from all worldly concerns and suffering). People would also turn to him for assistance with matters related to love. In two of his hands, he carries a bow and arrow. He is seated on a lotus, which is an important Buddhist symbol of enlightenment because of the way in which the flower grows up from the mud of a pond. Buddhist practitioners hope that, in a similar way, their minds will rise above and escape the suffering of the world.

The Wisdom King Aizen, hanging scroll painting, 14th century, Metropolitan Museum, accession number 66.90

Tiny portable shrines like our Object of the Month could be carried in daily life by a Buddhist pracitioner seeking the guidance or protection of Aizen Myō–ō. In Edo period Japan, from the 1600s to the 1800s, travel and pilgrimage became very popular. The great highways between cities were in regular use for provincial samurai processions, trade, and leisure. Although the government attempted to control the movement of people by banning members of the peasant class from leaving their hometowns, people found a way round the restrictions. There was a huge increase in the availability and popularity of maps, travel guides, prints, and literature about travel. Pilgrimage was an opportunity for ordinary people to escape work and everyday life for a while, and to travel along the highways to see the sights. In order to avoid getting into trouble with local authorities at barriers or checkpoints, travellers could prove they had been away on pilgrimage by obtaining amulets, images, or other souvenirs from temples and shrines. A tiny ‘pocket shrine’ like our object of the month would have been perfect to take on the road or to bring home as a souvenir.

Kabuki actor resting on his travels with two shrines in the background, woodblock print, Utagawa Toyokuni I, 1821 – 1824, British Museum collection

This object is just one of the many objects that form part of Denys Eyre Bower’s five impressive collections which include Ancient Egyptian, Japanese, Buddhist, Stuart and Jacobite, and Books. For more information on these objects, review our Object of the Month series, visit the Historic House and Collections or contact our Curator, Naomi Collick by email or by calling 01892 870347.