A remarkable Japanese garden 450 year old “Five Elements” Stone with an onion top design

Japan, a fine antique and surviving “Five Elements” Gorinto stone sculpted in one piece in a graceful onion top form and portable size from a dark gray stone.

This one is early and quite scarce. It is the first example of this early, graceful form that we have had the pleasure of owning.

It dates to the late Muromachi period, 1338-1573. The Muromachi period also called Ashikaga Period, in Japanese history was named for a district in Kyōto, where the first Ashikaga shogun, Takauji, established his administrative headquarters.

An architectural gem that’s also highly collectible for display indoors or outdoors in your favorite garden space.

Original centuries old surface weathering appropriate to its great age.

Measuring 18.5″ high and 8.5″ wide, this Gorinto Stupa is a uniquely Japanese invention depicting five geometric forms, which correspond (from bottom) to top: earth, water, fire, wind, and ethereal space. The Japanese Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism views the Gorinto as a symbol of Dai-Nichi Buddha, who, underlying all things, manifests himself in the five elements making up the physical world. A very Fine example with guaranteed authentic ancient writing. From an old Nagoya garden.

History:
The Muromachi period as the Muromachi era, the Ashikaga era, or the Ashikaga period) is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate (Muromachi bakufu or Ashikaga bakufu), which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, two years after the brief Kenmu Restoration (1333–36) of imperial rule was brought to a close. The period ended in 1573 when the 15th and last shogun of this line, Ashikaga Yoshiaki, was driven out of the capital in Kyoto by Oda Nobunaga.

Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.

We are member of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.

We have been dealing in authentic Japanese,Chinese, European, and Asian Fine art, antiquities, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels to Japan, Europe and China each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition. After accumulating a group, they are imported to Vermont in large containers. This method keeps shipping costs low and enables us to offer them to you at reasonable prices. We ship internationally.