25 Hamaguri Kannon

As the name suggests in Japanese, this Kannon sits atop a clam. Based on an old folkloric tale of a beautiful woman who came out of a clam as the incarnation of Kannon. Since clams are bivalves that sometimes contain pearls, it is also said that the pearls were likened to the beauty of Kannon.

This is a Kannon of love, somewhat reminiscent of “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli. In this work by Takahashi Rakuzan, you will notice a large pearl necklace on her chest. These touches were designed under the supervision of Tokuzo Yamada.