Tsuka with Menuki of Buddha and Daruma

Description The body of the tsuka is decorated with clouds and gold lotus petals. The petals frame the menuki, which represent two important religious figures. The first is the historical Buddha, known in Japan as Shakyamuni, shown descending from his mountain retreat. The other menuki depicts Bodhidaruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. He rides on a reed, crossing the ocean from China to Japan. A horn fuchi is attached to the end of the tsuka. This is part of a mounted set.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions none

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters