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helpmemore
 Aizen
Benzaiten
Bishamon
Daikoku
Dragon
Ebisu
Fudo
Hotei
Marishi
Nio Kings
Seven Gods
Zao Gongen
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$170 - $190
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$120
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$75
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$99
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ALL
NEW
SINCE
2008
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Red String Amulets
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Lotus Pocket Amulets
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Lotus Pocket Amulets
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$50
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With Sanskrit Seed
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Without Sanskrit Seed
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$85
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$80
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WHAT'S NEW AS OF MARCH 2008
The site was significantly updated, and many new styles were added. In addition, product pages were improved to make it easier to shop. Thus, this section (Styles Section) is out of date. Please visit the individual deity pages to see all the new additions and styles.
DEITIES AND STYLES. Our regular lineup of hand-carved Buddhist deities are based on templates and standardized styles. Nonetheless, each statue is unique, for the very nature of handicraft production means that slight variations will occur in every carving. Thus, the statue you order will not look "exactly" like the photo in our estore. We inspect all pieces for artistic merit and quality before shipping to the customer, and refuse to sell inferior carvings. We handle numerous Buddhist deities (see column at left), and offer most deities in two or three different styles. Our mainstay styles are shown below.
 Large Standing-or-Sitting Style (Wood)- Hand-Size Folding Style; Praying-Hands Shape Opens/Closes (Wood)
- Pocket-Size Zodiac Amulet Style (Wood)
- Thumb-Size Miniature Style (Wood)
- Some Deities are Available in Glassware or Powdered Forms
- We also offer treasures discovered at Flea Markets throughout Asia
ICONOGRAPHY AND ARTISANS. Our regular offerings are hand-carved both in China and Japan, but most are crafted by master artisans in China, a nation that has enormously influenced the development of Buddhist art and faith in Japan. Even so, Japan's artistic sensibilities are different from those of China, and we have commissioned the carving of our statues for the Japanese market. Thus, the iconography of our regular lineup closely reflects the Buddhist artistic traditions of the Japanese, not the Chinese. Details about each item are presented on the product pages, so you always know what you are buying. Finally, we occasionally find wonderful statues at flea markets in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. These latter statues are offered in the Flea Market section. They are not based on template designs, nor offered again once sold.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR ORDER. If you cannot find the Buddhist statue you desire in our eStore, but would like to inquire about its availability, please ask. We can either locate or commission the carving of the statue. Please bear in mind that such statues typically cost more than our regular offerings. We will inform you of statue availability, time required, size options, wood options, and pricing. You will be given the opportunity to proceed with your customized order or to decline our offer. Please be patient. It may take one or two weeks before we can determine product availability for customized orders. To contact us with customization inquiries, click here.
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Since July 2007, we have added many other large statues. These beautiful statues, made of white fir, are intricately carved and very lightweight. They range in height from around 10 inches to 12 inches. They come in three to four pegged pieces for easy assembly: (1) the halo or aureole; (2) the pedestal; (3) the hands for certain statues; and (4) the Buddha statue. In most cases, the Buddha statue can be removed from the pedestal and replaced with other statues in your collection. These carvings closely reflect the Buddhist artistic traditions of Japan.
Approx. $170 each. We currently offer the following four deities, and plan to add more over time.
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This lovely praying-hand design folds open to reveal two deities inside. Intricately carved and finely balanced. The praying-hands model is perhaps the best deal overall at our eStore in terms of price, size, artistic merit, and the personal pleasure it brings. Approx. $120 each. We currently offer the following combinations, and plan to add more.
Specifications:
- Inches = 3.35 (H) x 4.13 (W) x 1.97 (D)
- Centimeters = 8.5 (H) x 10.5 (W) x 5.0 (D)
- Comes as one piece that is hinged at back
- Latch (or pin) at front for easy opening/closing
- Very lightweight
- No assembly required
- Carved for a Japanese audience.
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Since July 2007, we have added many other amulet styles. Delicately carved amulets of the Buddhist Protectors of the Zodiac. There are eight deities who protect the 12 Zodiac signs, with each deity protecting one (or two) Zodiac symbols. Click here to find your Zodiac animal based on your year of birth. Approx. $75 each.
- View all Eight Amulets on one page
- Amida Buddha (Dog & Boar)
- Dainichi Buddha (Sheep & Monkey)
- Fudo Myo-o (Rooster)
- Fugen Bodhisattva (Dragon & Snake)
- Kannon Bodhisattva (Rat)
- Kokuzo Bodhisattva (Ox & Tiger)
- Monju Bodhisattva (Rabbit)
- Seishi Bodhisattva (Horse)
Specifications:
- Inches = 2.36 (H) x 1.77 (W) x 0.43 (D)
- Centimeters = 6.0 (H) x 4.5 (W) x 1.1 (D)
- Two pieces: (1) protective cover with deity's Sanskrit seed syllable on outside and Japanese name on inside; (2) main piece with deity's effigy; no assembly required
- Both pieces snap together snugly for compact and safe storage; extremely lightweight
- Small enough to fit in your shirt pocket
- Carved for a Japanese market
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Since July 2007, we have added many other miniature styles.
These delightful miniature hand-crafted carvings come in two pieces: (1) the rounded protective cap, on which is carved the deity's Sanskrit seed syllable; and (2) the main piece depicting the deity's effigy atop a circular base. Approx. $99 each. We currently offer the following deities:
Specifications:
- Inches = 1.97 (H) x 1.38 (W) x 1.38 (D)
- Centimeters = 5 (H) x 3.5 (W) x 3.5 (D)
- No assembly required
- Carved for a Japanese audience
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These charming statues are formed in a template mold using water and powder. One solid piece, approximately 2.5 inches to 3.0 inches in height. Regretably, the artist has stopped making them. Only one remains available. See list below.
Approximately $60 each.
Specifications:
- Japanese artisan, Kamakura, Japan
- One piece
- No assembly required
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These glassware dragons come from Thailand. One solid piece. Approx. $70 each. We offer three pieces by this artist, and plan to add more in the future.
Specifications:
- Artisan from Thailand
- One piece; no assembly required
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The products in the Flea Market section were discovered at various markets in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. They are one-of-a-kind statues, and thus their price is generally higher than our regular products.
Once sold, these unique statues will no longer be available. In contrast, our regular statues are made from template models, and are reproduced (re-carved) whenever we receive an order.
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