日本，13-14世纪
尺寸：高45厘米，宽60厘米
A lacquered, painted, and gilded wooden statue of the goddess Benzaiten from 13th–14th century Japan.
The carving was created using the yosegi zukuri technique, which involved working with hollow wood composed of multiple pieces. The body parts were individually carved first, assembled together, and only then were the detailed carvings added. The eyes are inlaid with crystal. Benzaiten is dressed in an elegant, multi-layered robe featuring intricate gilded decorations on the torso, including geometric patterns, lotus flowers, cloud motifs, and the characteristic bow. Her hair falls over her shoulders, and she wears a simple crown on her head. Her damaged right hand likely once held a sword, a typical attribute of the goddess, while her left hand may have held a wish-fulfilling jewel.
辩才天：
辩才天是日本最重要的女神之一，她经常与龙和蛇一同出现；她是国家的守护神，不仅承诺带来好运和财富，还能抵御疾病和邪恶。她最初来源于印度教中的辩才天女（Saraswati），因此两位女神之间存在许多相似之处（例如：在描绘中，辩才天手中拿着琵琶，而萨拉斯瓦蒂/辩才天女则拿着维纳琴，两者都是弹拨乐器）。这位日本女神的影响力非常大，甚至传播到了神道教。
