Isho Kasane Dansu from Sendai Province - Ca 1900 Ganesh Statues natural marks

natural marks

It likely would have originally been found in a Japanese Buddhist temple in front of a larger altar called a shumidan

now worn back to reveal the grain beneath

The status can be determined by the small feet just visible beneath the dress

They were often made in pairs for a husband and wife

Isho Kasane Dansu from Sendai Province - Ca 1900 Ganesh Statues natural marksThis late Meiji period (1868 1912) Isho Dansu is from Sendai province. As is classic of many Japanese dansu chests, the chests are stacked, splitting in two. It was common for Japanese homes to have a summer clothing chest & winter clothing chest. When not in use, the redundant chest would be kept in storage, usually in an outhouse. The masterfully crafted ironwork is particular to Sendai province. Sendai metalwork forgoes straight lines and spreads