*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for three very small bunchin paperweights made around 30-40 years ago.  These three characters are enlightened disciples of Buddha known as ‘rakan’ in Japanese.  Rakan translates as ‘the worthy’, and they are generally depicted as a group of sixteen or eighteen, however some temples such as Kitain in Kawagoe have groups as large as 500.  Each rakan has reached enlightenment, but is yet to attain the higher state of nirvana.  The rakan on the left is said to be the last disciple of Buddha.  He is depicted carrying a pagoda signifying that Buddha is always here, forever and ever.  According to legend, the middle disciple was a prince from a minor kingdom in India.  When he was crowned prince, his younger brother was said to have started a rebellion.  The prince told his brother that his true desire was to become a monk, and he revealed his chest to prove that there was a Buddha in his heart.  His younger brother called off the rebellion, and the prince became a monk.  The disciple on the right was another prince from a small kingdom in India.  He also became a monk and liked to meditate in the half-lotus style.  Upon waking up, he would raise his hands and let out a deep breath.  This particular disciple was said to be contented with his own lot and is always depicted as yawning and stretching.  This is a fine set of paperweights suitable for calligraphy or just for display. 

Sizes

Holding Pagoda:  H.4.6cm (1.8”) x 4.4cm (1.7”) across x 4.3cm (1.6”) from back to front

Buddha on Chest:  H.3.5cm (1.3”) x 4.7cm (1.8”) across x 4.4cm (1.7”) from back to front

Stretching:  H.4.4cm (1.7”) x 4.5cm (1.7”) across x 2.6cm (1”) from back to front

Condition

The entire set is in very good condition.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.