Property of various owners MURATA SEIMIN (1761-1837)A Miniature Portable Shrine Edo period (1615-1868), 1830 The zushi prosied of a boxwood cylindrical case applied with gilt-metal fittings opening to reveal a removable shakudō figure of the deity Daikoku shown standing on two rice bales, the base signed with chiseled characters Bunsei jūsan-nen tora shōgatsu mikka nanajūichi-ō Seimin haiju (Respectfully cast by old man Seimin, aged 71, on the third day of the first month of 1830) With a wood tomobako storage box, inscribed Daikokuten zushi iri Seimin saku (Daikokuten, contained in a zushi , made by Seimin), the inside of the lid dated Bunsei jūsan-nen (1830) 1in (2.7cm) high, the figure only, 2 1/2 x 2 3/8in (6.5cm x 6cm) overall Murata Seimin was renowned for his flower vases and Buddhist altar fittings. He was also particularly skilled at making in bronze, lifelike models of turtles, using the lost-wax method. His sculpture of 500 arhats (disciples of the Buddha) still remains at Kenchōji Temple in Kyoto.