A small finely carved wooden figure of the baby Siddhartha Buddha, known in Japanese as Tanjô’butsu 誕生仏 (“The Buddha at Birth”). The figure is carved standing with one hand pointing toward the sky and the other toward the earth, the characteristic gesture associated with the moment immediately after the Buddha’s birth. The face is rounded and gentle in expression. The figure wears puffed trousers that flare outward toward the lower legs and stands on a small base carved with pointed leaf elements. Finely carved from boxwood (buxus), the sculpture displays a beautiful aged patina. Period: Most likely Japan – Edo period (1600–1868) Dimensions: Height 9.7 cm, Width 4.5 cm, Depth 2.1 cm Weight 19 g In very good original condition with an attractive aged patina and minimal shrinkage cracks to the base. Please refer to the photographs for a clear impression of the condition. Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha (“the awakened one”), is depicted here just after birth. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in the garden of Lumbini on the southern fringe of present-day Nepal. Immediately after his birth he is said to have taken seven steps, pointing upward and downward while declaring: “I alone am honoured in heaven and on earth.” The seven steps symbolise the seven directions—north, south, east, west, above, below, and the centre. According to legend, nine dragons then descended from heaven and bathed him in pure water. In Japan the Buddha’s birthday is celebrated on 8 April during the festival known as Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival). Small figures such as this Tanjô-butsu are placed on an altar within a basin, and visitors pour sweet tea or water over the figure, commemorating the mythical baptism by the dragons. When shipped, a certificate of authenticity will be included.