Japanese Bronze Statue Takaoka Copperware Vintage Antique CraftDaikokuten Vintage Sculpture Statue 7 Gods Fortune Shinto七福神
Lovely large Japanese vintage Takaoka Copperwear Statue of Daikokuten (大黒天)Carrying Flag that reads 龍 (Dragon) one of the 7 gods of Fortune (七(福神, Shichifukujin).The weight to him is impressive and is in lovely condition. Beautifully castand great quality.Mid Showa period 1960/70s. Boxed.
Box reads:
銅置物 = Copper Orniment
凧上大黒 = Daikoku With Kite
秀？ = ? (Artists signature?)
H33cm (Including Kite) x W18cm x D10cm
1.97kg
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Daikokuten(大黒天) is asyncreticJapanesedeity of fortune and wealth.
Daikokuten 大黒天 or Daikoku 大黒 is widely known in Japan as the happy-looking god of wealth, farmers, food, and good fortune, although in earlier centuries he was considered a fierce warrior deity. Theoldest extant image of Daikokutenin Japan is dated to the late Heian period (794-1185) and installed at Kanzeonji Temple 観世音寺 (Fukuoka prefecture). The statue depicts the deity with a fierce expression, reminding us of his Hindu origin as a war god, as does thelate-Heian sculpture of Daikoku at Kongōrinji Temple金剛輪寺 (Shiga prefecture), which shows him dressed in armor. <See photos below>
However, since the early 14th century, Japanese artwork of this deity starts showing him as a cheerful and pudgy deity wearing a peasant’s hat (called Daikoku-zukin 大黒頭巾) and standing on bales of rice (tawara 俵), carrying a large sack of treasure slung over his shoulder and holding a small magic mallet. There areother forms,including a female form, but in Japan, the god is invariably shown standing on two bales of rice holding his magic mallet and treasure sack. Images, paintings, and other artwork of Daikokuten can be found everywhere in modern Japan, showing him alone, paired withEbisu(considered his son in many traditions), or grouped with theSeven Lucky Gods. He appears on posters, key chains, mobile-phone accessories, toys for children, and many other commercial goods.
Daikoku is also considered a deity of thekitchenand a provider of food, and images of him can still be found in the kitchens of monasteries and private homes. This tradition is thought to have come from India and China, where images of Mahākāla (Daikokus Sanskrit name) were placed in monastery kitchens to provide for the nourishment of the monks. In Japan, the practice is thought to have been introduced on Mt. Hiei 比叡 in the 9th century by Saichō 最澄 (767-822), the founder of Japans Tendai sect. Saichō is also credited with introducing a three-headed form of Daikoku known asSanmen Daikoku. In addition, says theBuddhism (Flammarion Iconographic Guides)
, “The main pillar of a house in the traditional Japanese style assumes the name of Daikoku-bashira 大黒柱 or ‘pillar of Daikoku,’ meaning ‘pillar of luck and wealth.’”
TheSeven Gods of Fortune(七福神,Shichi Fukujin), commonly called theSeven Lucky GodsinEnglish, refer to the seven gods of goodfortuneinJapanese mythologyandfolklore. They are often the subject ofnetsukecarvings.
Each has a traditional characteristic:
- Ebisu, god of fishers or merchants, often shown carrying acodorsea bass.
- Daikokuten(Daikoku), god of wealth, commerce and trade. Ebisu and Daikokuten are often paired and represented as carvings or masks on the walls of small retail shops.
- Bishamonten, god of warriors.
- Benzaiten(Benten-sama), goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, especially music.
- Fukurokuju, god of happiness, wealth and long life.
- Hotei, the fat and happy god of abundance and good health.
- Jurōjin(Gama), god of long life.
Many figures in Japanese myth were transmitted fromChina(some having entered China fromIndia), including all of the Seven Lucky Gods except Ebisu. Another god,Kichijōten, goddess of happiness, is sometimes found depicted along with the seven traditional gods, replacing Jurōjin.
The seven gods are often pictured on their ship, the Takarabune (宝船), or "Treasure Ship." The tradition says that the seven gods will arrive in town on the New Year and distribute fantastic gifts to worthy people. Children often receive red envelopes bearing the Takarabune which contain gifts of money around the New Year. The Takarabune and its passengers are often shown in art in different locations, from the walls of museums to cuddly caricatures.
What is Takaoka copperware ?
Takaoka copperware (calledTakaoka dokiin Japanese) is a type of copperware produced in the area around the city of Takaoka in Toyama prefecture. The various products range from small items such as indoor ornaments, Buddhist tools, and vases to larger items such as temple bells, Buddhist statues, and copper statues.
Takaoka copperware is said to be top class among Japans copperware production. Most of the anime character statues installed in urban revitalization projects across the country are made with Takaoka copperware. Therefore there are many people in Japan who have unknowingly seen Takaoka copperware. There is also a lively export market and Takaoka copperware is highly regarded in the many countries to which its products are exported.
The notable features of Takaoka copperware are the skillful hands-on casting techniques of the artisans and the polishing, metal carving and inlaying production techniques. These techniques have been combined and developed to create a wealth of styles. People are fascinated when they see the strength, delicacy, and flexibility of Takaoka copperware, which are made so that it takes on a deeper expression over time and can be enjoyed as it changes throughout the years.
The origin of Takaoka copperware goes back more than 400 years to the Edo period (1603-1868). In 1609, Toshinaga MAEDA, the second generation lord of the Kaga domain (contained modern day Toyama prefecture) acquired Takaoka Castle. In 1611, seven casting masters were brought to Takaoka in order to develop the area around the castle. A casting plant was built in Takaoka by the casting masters, who first started by producing iron goods for daily life, such as farm tools and pots. Later, copperware production began sometime between 1830 and 1848.
During the Meiji period (1868-1912), numerous items of Takaoka copperware were displayed at World Expositions in Austria and European cities like London and Paris, which created a craze for Japanese style products. The Meiji and Taisho periods (1912-1926) saw the active production of ornaments and tea ceremony implements. As Takaoka copperware became well known in Japan as artistic handicrafts, the increase in demand for Takaoka copperware gifts led to much development.
In 1975, Takaoka was designated as Japans first national traditional handicraft production area.
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