Buddha Statues

Authentic Patek Philippe Movements:

• Patek Philippe movements are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and precision. The brand has a long-standing reputation for creating exceptional, handcrafted movements that adhere to the highest standards of horology.
• Each authentic Patek Philippe movement undergoes meticulous assembly and quality control by master watchmakers, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and reliability.
• Authentic Patek Philippe movements often feature intricate complications, such as perpetual calendars, tourbillons, and minute repeaters, showcasing the brand’s dedication to innovation.

Replica Patek Philippe Movements:

• Replica Patek Philippe movements attempt to mimic the aesthetics and basic functions of genuine Patek Philippe movements, but they lack the same level of craftsmanship, precision, and quality control.
• Replicas are typically mass-produced, using lower-quality materials and less stringent manufacturing processes. As a result, they may be less accurate and durable than their authentic counterparts.

Materials and Components

Authentic Patek Philippe Movements:

• Patek Philippe uses high-quality materials, such as 18K gold, platinum, and stainless steel, to create their movements. The components are meticulously finished and often embellished with intricate decorations.
• Authentic Patek Philippe movements incorporate cutting-edge technology and proprietary innovations to ensure long-term reliability and performance.

Replica Patek Philippe Movements:

• Replica movements commonly employ lower-grade materials and may lack the fine finishing and attention to detail seen in authentic movements.
• While some replicas attempt to mimic the materials used in authentic Patek Philippe movements, they often fall short in terms of quality and durability.

Authentic Patek Philippe Movements:

• Authentic Patek Philippe movements are designed with precision, making them function smoothly and accurately. They are typically adorned with beautiful, hand-finished details and engravings.
• The movements in genuine Patek Philippe watches are often viewable through a transparent case back, allowing watch enthusiasts to admire the intricate inner workings of the timepiece.

Replica Patek Philippe Movements:

• Replica movements may imitate the appearance of authentic movements but can fall short in terms of functionality and aesthetic details. They often lack the finesse and precision of genuine Patek Philippe movements.
• Replicas may not have the same level of attention to detail, and their inner workings may not be as visually appealing as those of authentic Patek Philippe watches.

Hello Readers.
The April newsletter features the first-ever “comprehensive”
web guide to Japan’s water goddess Benzaiten. Many years
went into its production. I hope it will augment the efforts
of students, teachers, art historians, and scholars of Benzaiten
art and lore for years to come. Wait one or two minutes to
let the page load fully into your browser — it’s a big page with
lots of photos. Once loaded, you can begin your Benzaiten
adventure by clicking images for enlarged views & commentary.
The only thing missing is popcorn.

Benzaiten Guidebook. 68 pages, 250 images.

https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/benzaiten.shtml

Benzaiten is Japan’s preeminent water goddess. The patroness of “all things that flow” — music, art, literature, poetry, discourse, performing arts — she is one of Japan’s most complex deities, having long ago been conflated with other divinities from the Hindu, Buddhist, and Japanese pantheons. Her worship in Japan is widespread. Her many forms range from a two-armed beauty playing music to an eight-armed martial deity holding weapons to a monstrous three-headed snake to a divine representation of Amaterasu (the supreme Shintō sun goddess). This lavishly illustrated and meticulously referenced guidebook offers a wealth of visual and textual data.

1. highlights the evolution of Benzaiten’s cult in Japan
2. explores Benzaiten’s links to dragons, snake, foxes, and wish-granting jewels
3. provides condensed overviews of her myriad forms in Japanese faith and art
4. investigates her linkages to other female goddesses in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Shintō camps, including Inari, Amaterasu, Dakini, Nyoirin, and Itsukushima
5. pays special attention to Benzaiten’s close ties to Hindu deities
6. presents numerous case studies of Benzaiten’s main sanctuaries in modern Japan.

Click below image to begin the adventure.

Benzaiten in Japanese Art and Lore

Welcome 2012 — Year of the Dragon

Befittingly for the Year of the Dragon, this issue begins with a tribute to the dragon in Japanese mythology and art, and provides handy links to the A-to-Z Photo Dictionary for those who want to explore dragon lore more deeply. It also features a book review (by me) that appeared in the January/February 2012 edition of Orientations, a highly respected magazine read by collectors, connoisseurs, art historians, and scholars of Asian art. Orientations’ first issue of 2012 traces the origins and evolution of the dragon motif in ceramics of China’s Yuan dynasty (mid-14th century).

INTRODUCTION. Dragon 龍 (Lóng = China, Ryū = Japan). In Asia, the dragon appeared in Chinese myth & artwork well before the introduction of Buddhism to China in the 1st & 2nd centuries CE. Japan’s dragon lore comes predominantly from China. Images of the creature are found throughout Asia, where it was adopted as a protector of Buddhism, a symbol of imperial power, the guardian of the east, the controller of rain and tempests, and a magical shape shifter able to assume human form and mate with people. In contrast to Europe’s malevolent dragon, the Asian dragon is considered benevolent, just, and the bringer of wealth. Learn more at the A-to-Z Photo Dictionary.

One of Four Celestial Emblems, each guarding a compass direction (dragon = east, red bird = south, tiger = west, tortoise = north). Each is linked to a season, color, element, & other traits. Each corresponds to a star constellation with 7 stars (see 28 Lunar Mansions).	One of the 12 Zodiac Signs. Patron of those born in 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012. The dragon is also one of Eight Legions who guard Buddhism & its teachings.	Each of the 12 Zodiac creatures is also associated with a Buddhist patron deity. The dragon is paired with Fugen Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Practice (Praxis).

Dragon images are commonly placed under the eaves of Japanese temples & shrines to ward off evil spirits, as are images of the shishi (lion) and baku (nightmare eater).	Dragons are often painted on the ceiling of Zen assembly halls, and frequently adorn water purification fountains at temples and shrines. Dragons are a common motif in Japanese art.	From the medieval period until the Meiji period, maps of Japan were drawn inside a dragon. This topic will be featured this summer at the A-to-Z Dictionary.

Dragons are the messengers and avatars of Benzaten, Japan’s goddess of water, art, music, & learning. This topic will be explored in-depth this Feb. at the A-to-Z Dictionary.	Dragons are also closely associated with Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), kami Shirayamahime, and other deities in the Buddhist & Shinto pantheons of Japan.	Carp transforming into dragon. Among countless dragon stories in China & Japan, one of the most endearing is the Chinese legend of Koi-no-Takinobori (see story below).

Chinese Legend of Carp Becoming a Dragon

A common artistic theme from old China, one based on a Chinese legend known as Koi-no-Takinobori in Japan, wherein carp swim, against all odds, up a waterfall known as the “Dragon Gate” at the headwaters of China’s Yellow River. The gods are very impressed by the feat, and reward the few successful carp by turning them into powerful dragons. The story symbolizes the virtues of courage, effort, and perseverance, which correspond to the nearly impossible struggle of humans to attain Buddhahood. In modern Japan, temples and shrines commonly stock their garden ponds with carp, which grow to enormous sizes in a variety of colors.

Book Recommendation, Book Review

To order the book online, see Brill Publications. To read the book review, click here.