A Small and Fragile Molded Paper and Clay Tenjin: Hand Painted

early to mid twentieth century
4 3/4" x 4" x 1 3/4", 12 cm x 10 cm x 4.5 cm

This charming hand painted folk sculpture seems to be molded of paper and clay: it lightweight and somewhat fragile. 

It depicts the Shinto god of scholarship called Tenjin who is the deification of a Heian period (794-1185) scholar, poet and politician, Sugawara no Michizane.

Tenjin is a popular presence in Japan as he is appealed to for help mostly by students and especially before exams. There are shrines built to Tenjin in Japan and more than likely this small figure was sold at the shrine as a souvenir or a good luck charm.

As is quite evident, this little figure shows a good amount of surface damage and some loss.

Delightful, this would make a wonderful gift for a student friend, especially one applying for university entrance.