Los 663

A lacquered wooden travelling shrine known as a 'zushi', containing a deity, most likely 'Kariteimo', the protector of children, with a child on her left arm. Originally Kariteimo was a child-devouring Yakṣa from Hindu lore named Hāritī, but she repents and coverts to Buddhism. In Japan, the deity’s name was transliterated as Kariteimo. In Japan, Kariteimo is the protector of children and the goddess of easy delivery, child rearing, parenting, harmony between husband and wife, love, and the well-being and safety of the family. Childless women also pray in hopes of becoming pregnant, Japan, Edo period, 19th century -H. 22,5 cm, signs of wear but in overall very nice condition-