Japanese Wooden Temple, Kamidana, 1930s

Dimensions: height 28.5 cm, width 29.5 cm, depth 14 cm.

Behind the double doors sits a polychrome wooden figure of a seated monk. The calm expression and richly coloured robes lend the piece a warm, devotional presence.

Originally used as a household altar – an intimate place for prayer, protection, and ancestor worship. The architectural form echoes Shinto shrines, while the figure represents a Buddhist monk; this very fusion embodies the spiritual harmony characteristic of early 20th-century Japan.

Today, it stands as a refined interior piece: a compact architectural object with character and patina that fits effortlessly on a mantel, sideboard, or display shelf. It adds a subtle, authentic spiritual accent and brings calm and focus to a modern space—beautiful on its own or as a focal point among ceramics, books, and art.

It is in good condition, with normal signs of age and use consistent with its period, clearly visible in the photos.