A FINE JAPANESE BRONZE OBJECT 置物 DEPICTING KANZAN 寒山 (HANSHAN) AND JITTOKU 拾得 (SHIDE), MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912)

A fine bronze okimono 置物 depicting Kanzan 寒山 (Hanshan) and Jittoku 拾得 (Shide).
The finely cast bronze superbly finished to a lustrous black polish, showcasing the eccentric Zen-Buddhist hermits in their typical poses.

Kanzan is holding a scroll incised with minute calligraphy of his poems, while Jittoku stands behind, pointing at the scroll with a broom lodged under his arm, indicating his position as a scullion. The details are finely chiselled, and the expressions of the pair are crafted with humour.

Kanzan is thought to have lived as a poet-recluse near Mt. Tiantai (Jp: Tendai 天台) in Zhejiang 浙江. Jittoku (lit. foundling) was so named because he was found by the Zen master Bukan 豊干 (Ch: Fenggan) and raised in the Tiantai temple Guoqingsi 国清寺, where he worked in the kitchen and gave leftover food to his friend Kanzan.

Sealed on the back of Kanzan’s robe: ‘Motoharu’ 元春

Period: Japan – Meiji period (1868-1912).

Dimensions:
Height 24.5 cm, Width 18.5 cm, Depth 8.5 cm.
Weight 3.4 kg.

In an excellent condition with only minimal typical wear conform age. Please refer to the phots for a clear condition reference.