We have been collecting Antique Jizo Statues from the Edo Period of Japan for years. Their aesthetic beauty and symbolism is something we hold dear at David Alan. Along with these rare antique finds, we are happy to announce we have found contemporary Jizo Statues made from both wood and limestone. They are quite amazing!
Jizō is a bodhisattva, who has postponed Nirvana until all can be saved. Jizō embodies supreme spiritual optimism, compassion, and universal salvation. He is the guardian of children, expectant mothers, women and travelers.
Phurba – Three sided ritual dagger from Tibet – Old World Antiques
History: From Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and Indian Vedic traditions
Still used by Buddhists and Shamans in Tibet and the Himalayas, the use of these magical daggers dates back to at least the 7th or 8th century. The Phurba, or Kila in Sanskrit, is linked to a whole cycle of legends and tantric rituals which all focus on dispelling demons and evil forces. It is a spiritual weapon. It is not sharp and is not meant to cause harm to living beings.
Ritual use:
The origins of its use are shrouded in mystery but the word ‘Phur’ – meaning ‘peg’, denotes its most archaic form which was used as a magic nail or tent stake. The Phurba not only served to secure nomadic homes but also to restrain evil forces by piercing the earth so the embodied deity can sanctify the ground underneath. Its principal use has evolved into a powerful implement of exorcism used by high level Shaman and those who are initiated or empowered in its use. Most simply put, it attracts demons or negative spiritual energies and transmutes them – releasing them from suffering and guiding them to rebirth so they are no longer capable of causing harm and disruption.
The magic of the dagger comes from the effect the material object has on the realm of the spirits through the visionary ability of the Shaman.
Its function is complex and is best understood through a description of its anatomy:
It is segmented into three suites of triunes [sets of three]: 1) the Pommel or Hilt [cap at the top of the handle]; 2) the Handle; 3) the Blade.
Together they signify the three realms: the upperworld; the middle world [earth]; and the underworld. The arrangement highlights the numerological importance and spiritual energy of the integers of 3 and 9.
The Pommel represents the divine, often bearing the three faces of Buddha or the deity it embodies: one peaceful, one joyful, one wrathful (ferocious in destroying negative energy). While still embodying the deity, the pommel on some daggers may have only one head which acts as a mirror image of the Shaman in order to meditatively connect with the power of the Phurba. A horse head figure or Guardian King, can seen on some as well as other power animals.
The Handle often features a weaving or knotwork design or a dorje [thunderbolt] and serves as an energizing element connecting the hilt and blade.
The Blade is a three sided, elongated triangle representing its ability to cut through or transform the negative energies known as ‘The 3 Root Poisons’: violence; hatred; aggression / aversion; fear; hate / delusion; ignorance; misconception, as well as control over the past, present and future. The entwined serpent found on many blades is a protective deity associated with Buddha.
When guided by the practitioner, the deity will manifest as the Phurba and draw in negative energy. The demons can be drawn from the ground, from the sky or from a person (as in an exorcism) and are tied to the blade establishing an energetic continuum to hold it in place until it can be redirected. The practitioner then vertically pierces the earth with the blade, or if indoors plunges it into a bowl of rice or grain, connecting space to earth thus destroying (in the sense of transmuting and freeing) the demons.
Phurbas, particularly those of wood, are also used for healing and dispelling disease, evil thoughts and desires. For this, the blade is dipped into a bowl of water, stirred and the water given to the patient to drink.
Materials: Although they can be constructed from many different materials, Phurba’s, like most Tibetan ritual instruments are most often made of wood, brass or iron, the most valuable being of meteoric metal [‘Thogcha’ or ‘sky-iron’].
Above image – From left to right: Nepal Phurbas 80 – 100 years old
1) Wood, 3 faced pommel with tiger-like animal at top – $190. (SOLD)
2) Wood, 3 faced pommel with forged chain; iron clad round blade (9 1/2″ x 1 1/2″) – $650. (SOLD)
3) Wood, 4 faced pommel; monkey depicted on blade (6 1/2″ x 1″) – $200.
In Japan, during the Edo (1603-1868) and Meiji periods (1868-1912), all traditional Japanese homes and shops featured a central area called the Irori, or, a sunken hearth.Here, charcoal would be continuously burned for cooking and warming the home. Suspended above the hearth was a Jizai, or self-adjuster, from which a large iron kettle would be hung.A Jizai Kagi, or a large wooden hook, was suspended from the ceiling or roof beams with heavy rope.An adjuster was attached and this set up allowed the weight of the kettle or iron pot to be raised and lowered as needed.
Because the hearth was centrally located in the home or shop and highly visible to guests or customers, owners aspired to have elaborate and impressive hooks made of fine woods with extraordinary craftsmanship.
After decades of use, authentic Jizai Kagi show wear and tear in the form of rich, darkened patinas from sitting above incessant coal fire and heat.In addition, where the heavy rope hung from the “J” part of the hook, deep grooves are rubbed into the wood.
We are fortunate to have several Jizai Kagi for sale at David Alan Collection and invite you to come see them.These beautiful hooks are a fine example of Japanese architectural ingenuity and today are highly collectible pieces of folk art from centuries ago.
17th-18th century wooden Keris hilt from Central Java, Indonesia.
Late 19th century bone Keris hilt from Java, Indonesia.
Defined by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Education) as a “Masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”. The kris or keris is a distinctive, asymmetrical dagger from Indonesia. Both a weapon and spiritual object, krises are often believed to possess magical powers. Considered as or even more unique than the knife blades, the handles or hilts are extremely rare and beautiful art objects which represent abstract, human, divine, and demonic figures. The knife handles shown here, and others like them were made by master craftsmen of the Indonesian archipelago and are true sculptural masterpieces.
We are very excited to announce that our next exhibition will feature hundreds of original wood block prints from Japan, most dating to the Edo period. The opening night reception will be Thursday, November 13th. Save the date, and make sure to sign up in the contact section of the website, under newsletter, to receive the official invite along with additional information.
