【Important notes】 ・International Buyers: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. ・Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. These duties are paid to your country's customs office and not to us. Prompt payment of these fees is necessary to ensure delivery of your item. 【Product details】 Offered in this lot is a venerable artifact of Japanese religious art, a meticulously hand carved statue of Benzaiten, a deity of fortune, music, and eloquence, ensconced within a alter cabinet. Crafted in December of the 14th year of Showa (1939) by the esteemed master sculptor Asako Shukei. Benzaiten, part of the Seven Gods of Fortune, is celebrated for her virtues that enrich lives with prosperity and arts. The figure is seated elegantly, with a serene expression, holding a sacred jewel and a ritualistic baton, emblematic of her divine virtues. Originating in the late Muromachi period, the Asako lineage has honored the artistic tradition of Unkei, Japan's renowned Buddhist sculptor. In the Edo period, their divine palanquins and statuary garnered them high acclaim for their exceptional artisanship. Inside the cabinet doors, a prayer and the auspicious date penned in calligraphy, along with a signature from the 38th Nissho chief monk of the Myougyouji Temple at the sacred Mount Myougi, add to its historical authenticity. The backside of the Benzaiten statue also bears the distinguished signature of Asako Shukei, assuring its origination from this illustrious family of sculptors. Patina, indicative of age, adorns the cabinet and statue, narrating the legacy and the venerated journey through time. The alter cabinet’s door-locking mechanism is missing, and it bears marks of lacquer peeling, scratches, and slight damages consistent with its historical journey. Please refer to the photos. Dimensions of Cabinet: approx. H 16.8 cm W 10.7 cm D 8.2 cm Overall Dimensions including pedestal: approx. H 25.6 cm W 18.2 cm D 13.5 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!