Maria Kannon in white porcelain imitating Chinese white, Japan, Edo period, 19th century Group featuring a guanyin (Kannon in Japanese) seated on a rock, carrying a child holding a lotus flower. A dragon at her feet, she is surrounded by two waiting figures. The representation of the child is undoubtedly an allusion to the Blessed Virgin and Child Jesus. This model, inspired by the Chinese Dehua whites, was probably made in the Kutani region. Similar polychrome models exist. Height: 30.5 cm The proclamation of the edict banning Christianity in 1612 marked the beginning of a two-and-a-half-century period of religious persecution. This period was characterized by the confiscation and destruction of religious objects. To maintain their faith in secret, kakure kirishitan (隠れキリシタン), also known as hidden or clandestine Christians, opt for representations reminiscent of the Blessed Virgin while avoiding arousing suspicion.