Description
This Japanese painting (nihonga) dates from the
mid to late Japanese
Showa period (1926-1989) and depicts the popular Shinto luck god Daikoku. The painting was done on a rectangular sheet of stiff Japanese
shikishi paper with gold trim at the edges. This nihonga
painting is in poor to fair condition with marks, stains and creases and is a
wonderful candidate for framing and display.
Daikoku is one of the most famous and celebrated gods within the Japanese Shinto (native
religion of Japan) pantheon (please read below to learn more about Shinto). Daikoku is one of seven popular luck gods collectively known as Shichifukujin. These famous gods (six male and one female) are
frequently seen together in Japanese art, often on a boat sailing the seas of
fortune. Daikoku is usually depicted holding his wonderful luck
hammer which he waves to dispense good fortune upon worthy humans. The god
is also frequently shown standing upon two large bales of rice, an auspicious
symbol of prosperity. The happy
luck god wears one of the most captivating smiles in all Asian art and is nearly
always depicted in the act of joyfully visiting wealth and happiness upon the
earth (note the bag of goodies carried over his left shoulder).
Size:
Height: 10.5 inches (27.0 centimeters)
Width: 9.4 inches (24.0 centimeters)
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More about the Shinto religion
Shinto is one of the two major religions of Japan (the other is Buddhism). Shinto is often considered to be the native religion
of Japan, and is as old as Japan itself. The name Shinto means "the way
of the gods." Shinto is a pantheistic religion, in which many thousands
of major and minor gods are thought to exist. The Japanese have built
thousands
of shrines (jinja) throughout the country to honor and worship these gods. Some shrines
are huge and are devoted to important deities. Other shrines are small and may
be easily missed when strolling along roads in the countryside.
Shinto gods are called kami. Kami are thought to have
influence on human affairs, and for this reason many Japanese make regular
pilgrimage to community shrines in order to offer prayers to local kami.
The act of prayer involves approaching the shrine structure, passing through the
gate-like torii, cleansing the hands and mouth
with water and possibly ascending stairs to the main entrance of the shrine.
Usually without entering the shrine the worshipper will throw some coins into a
stone or wooden collection box and then rattle the suzu bell which is at
the top of a long hemp rope. The worshiper grabs hold of the rope and shakes it
back and forth causing the copper bell at the top to rattle. This is thought to
get the attention of the shrine god. The worshipper then bows twice, claps his
or her hands twice and then bows again. In addition, the worshipper may clasp
their hands together in silent prayer. Shintoism and Buddhism have managed to
find a comfortable coexistence in Japan. Evidence of this harmonious relationship is
found in the fact that that most Japanese are married in a Shinto shrine,
but buried by a Buddhist priest.
item code: R4S3B2-0005857
category code: nihonga
ship code: shikishihako
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