Antique Japanese Butsudan Buddhist Gilt Altar Cabinet Start Price USD 11,000.00 Current Price USD 11,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, September 21, 2008 End Time Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Location Laguna Beach, CA See more about 'Antique Japanese Butsudan Buddhist Gilt Altar Cabinet' Description Click HERE for our other AUCTIONS Antique Japanese Gilt Butsudan Buddhist Altar Cabinet Click on the thumbnails to view enlargements Large (5 1/2' tall) fine detailed Japanese lacquer and gold leaf gilt carved wood antique Butsudan (Buddhist Altar). This Butsudan displays combined Buddhist and Shinto aspects. In Japanese altar making, each step is performed by a separate craftsman, cutting the wood, shaping the wood, lacquering, gilding, painting and assembly. Numerous individuals have worked to show the highest quality work for this outstanding altar. Ordered new today, this would be over twenty-thousand dollars ($20,000). This elm wood brass accented exterior with gilt inside opens to cloth interior doors which enclose the rich lustrous gold and black lacquer interior. The hand painted high gloss finish shows the best in traditional craftsmanship. It is entirely hand made; each piece of wood finely shaped and lacquered, each bit of metal hand etched before assembly. It rises from a two stage base of red, black and gold lacquer which include ornate drawers, gilt owl and phoenix decorated drawers, eight elaborate columns , and centers on three golden kamis (spirits of Nature) floating in front of a flower motif backing above a gilt dragon. Features an ornate gilt interior roof, completely detailed underneath and from above where no one can see (except God). The butsudan is a particularly Japanese phenomenon, the mountainous nature of Japan's topography made access to isolated temples difficult, so the Japanese began a custom of having a Buddhist temple in the house, or zaikebukkyo. The symbolism within the butsudan is strong. It is closed during the night, and the outside of the cabinet is traditionally fashioned from plain black or dark brown wood. In stark contrast, the interior is colorful and striking, illustrating the difference between the kingdom of the gods and this mortal realm. The upper half of the butsudan symbolizes heaven. Please note: A certified Minister and Energy Master has given this Butsudan a complete energy and spiritual cleansing. The piece is clean and free of all past owner energy or spirits - like new. Circa turn of the Century. 66” (168 cm) h. X 32” (97cm) w. X 24” (61cm) d. Custom listed using TROCADERO's automated HTML and Picture Hosting tools. Place a Bid!