Whistling Arrow

Japanese

Not on view

This arrowhead was probably made as a votive gift or souvenir in connection with a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the deified founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Iside the arrowhead carved figures represent beings whose aid could be invoked for personal protection and success in battle. In the left half are the three sacred monkeys (Sambiki zaru), with the text of a prayer written behind them. In the right half are the Buddhist goddess Marishiten, who was especially venerated by archers, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Behind them are the seed syllables representing two more deities: Aizen Myō-ō and Amida Nyorai>

Whistling Arrow, Wood and pigments, Japanese

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