Featured Oriental Samurai Match Striker c1900

Bought this recently and I love it. Bet his humourous face wouldn’t be so if he was here in the flesh xD

My question is whether anybody recognises this character as somebody from somewhere in East Asian history? And is he Chinese or Japanese?

Thanks

 

It is Japanese.
A depiction of Benkei stealing the bell from a Buddhist temple called Mii-dera.
Benkei is a colourful character, with careers as a warrior monk and an outlaw. He is said to have been half demon and very big.
I don't remember the full story, but you can google Benkei.

 

Sniped by AJ!

Agree with depiction of Benkei.

Picture and description under “notable examples” here.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonshō

I have one of these bells here-was captured by a US Army Officer at end of WWII. Outside designs differ but same idea. A Japanese neighbor translated some text on it and said it was made for the dai-ringi temple, and was donated by four people whose names are cast into the bell.

 

This match striker just permanently entered my collection . That’s amazing. Love nothing better than a full story!
That sound like one hefty bell spring xD


Thanks guys, I’ll remember that story for sure.

 

I thought it an inkwell ?

 

Yes agree, an may have held glass bowl or maybe ink just went into metal pan that’s way too small for wood matches.

 

I would say inkwell as well.

 

That’s what I thought!!! Inkwell for sure but inside there’s just a small metal holder which comes out and the armour has match striking areas all over.
Although it is perfectly sized for an inkwell but doesn’t have any ink stains anywhere. So maybe the armour is just a coincidence and it could be an inkwell

Also what is it made of? Is it bronze plated pewter or something? With a brass insert

Here’s a pic inside and close ups of the armour :

 

sure looks like bronze.....from here....and a nice casting..!!

 

Why has it gone grey in places? Scratches have gone grey?
The rubbing on the face too

 

Ahhhh...I see what you mean now....that's why you're thinking pewter..??

 

Someone has got at it with metal polish. Spend a few evenings with wooden toothpicks and a soft toothbrush picking it out.

 

The greens bits you mean I thought they were bits of rust from the bronze coating I kind of like them but knowing they are polish makes it not as interesting xD

Can I not get it back to all bronze colour then. Then again I even like the wear, it’s a perfect item for me