Altar (Shumidan)

Wood, lacquered
H: 28.8cm, H of base: 18.4cm, W: 68.6cm, D: 54.7cm
Kamakura period　14th century

Altar (<i>Shumidan</i>)
  • A023810
Altar (<i>Shumidan</i>)_0
  • A023810
  • 1991/09/13
Altar (<i>Shumidan</i>)_1
  • A023811
  • 1991/09/13
Altar (<i>Shumidan</i>)_2
  • A023812
  • 1991/09/13
Altar (<i>Shumidan</i>)_3
  • A023813
  • 1991/09/13
Altar (<i>Shumidan</i>)_4
  • A023814
  • 1991/09/13
Altar (<i>Shumidan</i>)_5
  • A023815
  • 1991/09/13

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The shumidan is an altar modeled on Shumisen (Mt. Sumera), the mountain located at the center of the universe. Its purpose is to hold Buddhist statues. This small rectangular item is made of wood and is characterized by an eclectic blending of Japanese style, e.g. the paneling (hameita) inserted into the foliate spandrels (kōzama) and the Zen style, e.g. the repeated use of moldings (kurigata) above and below frame (kamachi).
 
Object label 

Accession Number 1146-0
Category Decorative Arts
Bibliography Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Nara National Museum: Supplement. Nara National Museum, 1999, 108p. (Japanese)

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