Antique Bronze Oni Warrior Statue, Japan

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Detail:  Oni are creatures from Japanese folklore.  Depictions vary but they are commonly represented as creatures with long hair, fangs and two horns but with a humanoid body and red tiger-skin loincloths.  Some villages hold yearly ceremonies to drive away oni.  On the other hand, some men dress in oni costumes in Japanese parades to ward off any bad luck.

This particular statue was acquired in an antique market in the 1950s.  It was then sold to an art dealer in San Francisco.  We acquired it in 1999.  I believe it is from the mid- to late-1800’s.   Heavy bronze with much of the original coloring intact.  For the Serious Collector.