Generically called “kibana” (shrine or temple roof support finials), these large wooden architectural ornaments were typically carved in the form of mythical beasts. The Japanese artistic tradition includes a large number of imaginary creatures. The Baku, like so many mythical beings, is a curious mingling of various animals. First chronicled in Shinto mythology, this creature is described as having a hairy head with a long proboscis like an elephant’s trunk, two tusks, four claws on each foot, a spiny backbone, a spotted hide, and the tail of an ox. Baku are considered to be a generally benevolent creatures which stalk the dreamscape, devouring the evil demons that cause nightmares. Superstitious people of Edo era Japan believed that bad dreams were caused by evil spirits. It was believed that if the Baku could be induced to eat a horrible dream, the creature had the power to change it into good fortune. When a person awakens from a nightmare, he should call out immediately to the Baku to eat his bad dreams. According to Shinto legend, the Baku will promptly consume the evil entity responsible for these nocturnal terrors and bestow good fortune upon whoever has called out to him. As architectural elements, Baku were thought to protect the entrance to Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines and were placed under the roof of religious structures to ward off evil spirits. To insure the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu’s peaceful eternal rest, numerous sculptures of Baku are found at the Tosho-gu Shrine in Nikko, which houses his mausoleum. Architectural temple elements, particularly those in the form of a baku, are quite rare and seldom seen on the market today.

This baku sculpture is in remarkably good original condition with only minor abrasions due to its extensive age and exposure to weather. (We have displayed it on a short 3 ½” square metal base which will be included.) Dimensions: 9 ¾” (25 cm) long, 5” (13 cm) wide, 5 ½ (14 cm) high.