Antique Japanese Stone "Thinking" Buddha — Stone, 1750, Edo Period (SKU: 25M-324)

Antique Japanese Jizō Stone Stela — Volcanic Tuff, ca. 1750s, Mid-Edo Period
The Quiet Compassion of Weathered Stone

Carved more than two and a half centuries ago, this expressive Jizō Bosatsu (地蔵菩薩) still radiates the gentle guardianship for which he is beloved. Sculpted from dark volcanic tuff, the bodhisattva appears in a rare and contemplative "thinking" pose—head resting lightly on one hand, the other arm laid across a bent knee—inviting us to pause, exhale, and join him in quiet reflection. Over time, flecks of lichen and soft erosion from wind and rain have gently weathered the surface, turning each groove into a living memory of temple courtyards, village crossroads, and generations of whispered prayers.

The stela’s tall, arched silhouette frames the figure like a natural grotto. Along its right edge flows an inscription in classical Edo-period kanji, worn but still legible. Rendered in older script, it honors the spirit of a woman named Chōshin-nyo, a Buddhist devotee posthumously given the mountain title Kanzan and the Dharma name beginning with Shakya. Such memorials were often commissioned by family or temples to commemorate the dead—serving not only as roadside guardians but also as spiritual waypoints for both travelers and the departed.

Whether placed along a garden path, within a meditation room, or as a statement of reverence in a collection, this Jizō offers more than aesthetic gravitas—it radiates an enduring promise of protection, patience, and peace.

• Origin: Japan

• Era: Mid-Edo period, circa 1750s

• Material: Hand-carved volcanic tuff (basaltic andesite)

• Use: Outdoor or indoor devotional stela; guardian for gardens, entryways, or altars

• Features: Rare contemplative pose, arched stele silhouette, Edo-era inscription, natural lichen patina

• Dimensions: 10 1/2"W x 7"D x 25"H

• Condition: Structurally sound; weather-softened details, minor edge losses, and natural mossing consistent with age

In his patient stillness, Jizō reminds us that every journey—across mountains or within the heart—begins with a single, mindful breath.