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Bacchanalian Revelry of the Seven Lucky Gods

Mori Kōga (Takamasa)

Artwork Details

Bacchanalian Revelry of the Seven Lucky Gods
mid 19th century
Mori Kōga (Takamasa)
hanging scroll, ink and color on silk
42 x 13 7/8 in. (106.68 x 35.24 cm);2 3/8 in x 17 15/16 in x 2 1/2 in (6.03 cm x 45.56 cm x 6.35 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by a gift from Helmut Stern
1985/2.20

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Description

Subject Matter:

"The Seven Lucky Gods of Japan, Shichifukujin, are an eclectic group of deities from Japan, India, and China. Only one is native to Japan (Ebisu) and Japan’s indigenous Shinto tradition. Three are from the Hindu-Buddhist pantheon of India (Daikokuten, Bishamonten, and Benzaiten)and three from Chinese Taoist-Buddhist traditions (Hotei, Jurōjin, and Fukurokuju).

Each deity existed independently before Japan’s “artificial” creation of the group in the 17th century. Images of the seven appear with great frequency in modern Japan. The Shichifukujin are an excellent example of the way Hindu, Buddhist, and Shinto beliefs live side by side in Japan, influencing one another, and even lending each other gods. According to the Japanese legend, they travel in a ship called Takarabune which is filled with treasures and comes from sea to bring fortune and prosperity to everyone. It is said that if you leave a picture of the Shichifukujin below your pillow on the night of the last day of the year, you will be lucky and have good fortune the whole new year."

“The Seven Lucky Gods.” Traditional Kyoto, 2020, traditionalkyoto.com/culture/figures/the-seven-lucky-gods/.

Physical Description:

Depicted are the Seven Lucky Gods. One is standing on one foot with his belly showing and a staff running along his sholders. Three others are crouching on the ground to the right of the standing god. The first is Ebisu in court robes with a rod in one hand and a fan in the other. The next god is in green robes and a tall hat. The last one, Hotei, is sitting on the ground pointing with his belly showing. Across from these three gods are three more, all laying on the ground. The first is in a green robe facing and holding a drink to the god on his right Benzaiten. She is in red robes but also half-naked. On her right is another god Fukurokuju in tan tobes with an elongated forehead. On the bottom right of the hanging scroll is a signature and two seals.
 

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