7757 A rock crystal stupa in the form of Gorinto (five-ringed tower) Japan 16th century Muromachi period Dimensions: H. 10.5cm x W. 4cm x D. 4cm (4¼” x 1¾” x 1¾”) A fitted wood box inscribed: Suisho Hoto (A crystal stupa) A stupa used to contain a relic of Buddha or precious objects or stones. Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan, 720) mentioned that a relic of Buddha had been placed in a pagoda of Hoko-ji temple, Nara, in 593. During the Asuka period (592-710), a number of magnificent pagodas were built in great temples such as Horyu-ji in the ancient capital to enshrine Buddhist relics. During the Heian period (794-1185), many relics were brought from China to Japan by Kukai (774-835), the founder of the Shingon sect in 806. He and his followers made faith in relics popular with a wider audience especially within Esoteric Buddhism. By the Kamakura period, relics were not only for being secretly enshrined in pagodas but were also for being worshipped on their own. As such the sublimity of relic containers became more significant. The tower form of this current stupa, gorintō (five-ringed tower), is thought to be established in Japan. Many memorial monuments and tombs in this form were built from the late Heian period and were adopted as stupa. It consists of five shapes which symbolise Godai (Five Elements) and are believed to form the universe in ancient India. There are some variations but the basic five sections are (from bottom to top): the earth ring (cube), the water ring (sphere), the fire ring (pyramid), the air ring (hemisphere), and the ether or void ring (jewel-shape). Small wooden stupas of gorinto form are often found inside Buddhist sculptures, especially those made by Kei School artists such as Unkei (1150-1223) and his pupils. A similar example of crystal stupa from the Kamakura period (13th century) is housed in the Tokyo National Museum (item number E-19838)..