A FINE RED LACQUERED ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINE) ENSHRINING SADAJIN AND UDAIJIN, LATE EDO TO MEIJI PERIOD

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A FINE RED LACQUERED ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINE) ENSHRINING SADAJIN AND UDAIJIN, LATE EDO TO MEIJI PERIOD Japan, 19th century, late Edo period (1615–1868) to Meiji period (1868–1912) Finely carved as the paired shrine guardians Sadaijin and Udaijin, each seated upon a gilt and black lacquer pedestal and dressed in elaborate court robes richly decorated with polychrome pigments. Both figures hold arrows, their garments adorned with auspicious emblems: Udaijin, the younger right-hand minister, seated upon a leopard skin and wearing a robe decorated with a shishi (lion) roundel, while Sadaijin, the elder left-hand minister, distinguished by his long beard, sits upon a tiger skin and bears a dragon roundel to the front of his robe. The figures are enshrined within a finely crafted zushi covered in lustrous red lacquer and fitted with chased sentoku mounts decorated with floral motifs. The lower apron is delicately painted with chrysanthemum (kiku) blossoms against a pale blue ground. HEIGHT 37.2 cm, LENGTH 42.2 cm Sadaijin and Udaijin derive from the two highest-ranking ministers of the imperial court, formalized under the ritsuryo system from the 7th century onwards. In religious contexts, they evolved into protective figures known as zuijin, traditionally placed at the entrances of important Shinto shrines to guard sacred precincts and repel harmful influences. Their most celebrated representations are found at major shrine complexes such as Nikko Toshogu. Traditionally, Udaijin is portrayed as the younger and clean-shaven figure, while Sadaijin appears older with a long beard. Both wear courtly robes and carry bows and arrows, symbolizing their role as vigilant guardians. Their contrasting appearances also evoke the Buddhist concept of a-un, the complementary cycle of beginning and ending expressed through the open and closed mouths of guardian figures.

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