THREE GILT BRONZE BUDDHIST RITUAL OBJECTS: KATSUMA, RINPO, AND KONGO, KAMAKURA PERIOD
Lot 167 - JPN1225

Japan, 13th century, Kamakura period (1185-1333)

Each of classic and typical form, finely cast, neatly engraved with lotus decorations, and skillfully gilded.

SIZE 11.1 cm (katsuma), 11.8 cm (rinpo) and 12.3 cm (kongo)
WEIGHT 590.2 g (total)

Provenance: From a private collection in France.
Condition: Each in very good condition with expected wear and casting irregularities. Light rubbing to gilding. Few minuscule nicks and light surface scratches.

The Katsuma, sometimes referred to as a cross-shaped vajra, is thought to have originated from a projectile weapon used in ancient India. This object would have been placed at the four corners of a mandala during Buddhist ceremony.

The Rinpo is a ritual object connected with Esoteric Buddhism, symbolizing the Wheel of the Law (dharmachakra). In Buddhist texts and rituals, the phrase ‘turning the wheel of the law’ refers to the act of teaching by the Buddha Shakyamuni. Each of the eight spokes and corners represents one of the moral admonitions of the Noble Eightfold Path, and the central section depicts a lotus flower with eight petals.

The Kongo is a legendary ritual tool, symbolizing the qualities of a diamond, indestructibility, and a thunderbolt, irresistible force, and is often described as a ‘ritual weapon’. It is typically used in conjunction with a ritual bell (sho), together forming essential instruments in the esoteric practices of the Shingon and certain Tendai schools and embodying the union of method and wisdom.

Museum comparison:
Compare a closely related gilt bronze katsuma, Kamakura period, 13th century, 11.9 cm long, in the Nara National Museum, accession number 671-0. Compare a related gilt bronze rinpo, late 13^th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2015.300.296.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related gilt-bronze katsuma and rinpo with lotus trays, dated 13^th century, Kamakura period, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 1 December 2023, Vienna, lot 32 (sold for EUR 14,300).