Antique Japanese Nichiren Daishonin Wooden Statue & Glass Eyes 5”

This is a carved wooden statue of Nichiren Daishonin, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism in Japan. On his back written in Red is the Hohonzon, a mandala central to this practice. Likely from the late Edo era in the early 1800's.

Nichiren Buddhism was founded by Nichiren Daishonin, a Japanese Buddhist monk who lived during the 13th century. He developed his teachings based on the Lotus Sutra, believing it to be the ultimate expression of the Buddha's teachings. Nichiren emphasized the chanting of the mantra "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" as a means of attaining enlightenment and achieving Buddhahood in this lifetime. He faced persecution for his beliefs but gained a following that eventually led to the establishment of Nichiren Buddhism as one of the major Buddhist schools in Japan.