19th Century Japanese Esoteric Buddhist Ritual Implement - Vajra (12.9 cm length)

Acquired from an overseas collector. The collector stated it was from the Edo period (1603-1867 AD, early 17th-19th century). This roughly corresponds to the late Ming to mid-Qing dynasty in China. Vajra from the Edo period are typically 150-420 years old. Having handled cultural relics for many years, I prefer to conservatively estimate the age. Positioned as 19th century, this piece is more accurately described as a religious artifact with a century of history. Total length is 12.9 cm. Made of brass alloy. Hand-carved and finished. A genuine Vajra ritual implement from Vajrayana practice, showing signs of age. **************************** Currently, newly cast Vajra ritual implements available on the market range in price from approximately 3200-4000 NTD. Mass-produced items from mainland China are even less expensive, costing as little as 600 NTD. Some new Vajra implements are cast using molds taken from antique ritual items over a century old. The external appearance can be very similar. For collectors new to acquiring old Tibetan ritual implements, distinguishing between new and old can be challenging due to a lack of experience. Most collectors in Taiwan primarily focus on antique Tibetan ritual implements. There are very few collectors of Japanese Esoteric Buddhist ritual implements, and the supply of antique Japanese items is even scarcer. Consequently, promoting antique Japanese Esoteric Buddhist ritual implements in Taiwan is difficult. ********************************** Regarding the energetic resonance of ritual implements, I personally do not possess a strong sensitivity. Whether it's ancient Tibetan Phurba or Vajra, or even Japanese single-pronged, three-pronged, or five-pronged Vajra, I experience no distinct sensations. However, when I acquired several Japanese Vajra alongside a large collection of Tibetan ones this year, I found myself holding one single-pronged Vajra before sleep. That night, I dreamt of a fire ritual, smelling the aroma of burning pine resin. As I have been burning broken amber and beeswax prayer beads for friends in recent years to let them experience the scent of genuine amber and beeswax when burned, I paid close attention to the smell in my dream, experiencing it three times. This confirmed the scent in my dream was indeed like burning pine resin or beeswax. Upon waking, after over 30 years of handling countless ritual implements with little to no sensory perception, this single-pronged Vajra unexpectedly provided a dream experience. A fellow collector from southern Taiwan once remarked that the meditative focus of Japanese practitioners can surpass that of Tibetans, suggesting not to underestimate Japanese ritual implements. On December 7, 2024, a long-term spiritual practitioner and Taoist brother visited. He sensed the energy of several ritual implements I possess, both Tibetan (11th-18th century) and Japanese antique Vajra. Upon holding them, he began to yawn uncontrollably, unable to stop. He exclaimed the energy was incredibly powerful, looking at me with disbelief. He asked if I felt nothing when touching these implements. After his assessment, he took photos to show his master. Upon hearing me explain the age and acquisition cost of each piece, he politely requested to acquire three Japanese Esoteric Buddhist ritual implements (single-pronged, three-pronged, and five-pronged Vajra) from me the following morning. He noted that the energetic resonance of Japanese ritual implements was nearly as powerful as Tibetan ones, yet the price difference was substantial, comparable to the disparity between Tibetan Dzi beads and West Asian beads. He considered that the price of the Japanese ritual implements would likely be within his means. On December 19, 2024, he specifically traveled north to see me again. He reported that the evening he brought the Japanese ritual implements home, he placed two of them beside his bedside table. That night, he dreamt of two divine dragons, one large and one small, appearing within the Vajra. Having practiced sensing energies for many years, this experience brought him immense surprise. ********************************** On December 18, 2024, I offered respects to Master Ugyen Khenpo at the Dharma center. I inquired if there were any practices in Tibetan Buddhism involving the three-pronged Vajra. The master explained that only householder yogis engage in contemplation, focusing on visualization. However, this practice relies solely on mental visualization, imagining the three-pronged Vajra in one's mouth, and does not involve the actual use of the ritual implement. 6000-114.03.01