55 - JAPAN - 18th century

JAPAN - 18th century A large seated figure depicting Fujiwara no Hidesato (藤原秀郷), a famous 10th-century (Heian period) Japanese aristocrat, courtier, and samurai lord, and an iconic figure in Japanese folklore. He is depicted in a seated position, with a stern expression; his left hand rests on a symbolic sack of rice, while his right hand holds a black silk cord. His facial features are pronounced: thick, upward-arched eyebrows, a mustache, and a short, wavy beard. His hair is tied in a bun covered with black silk. He is dressed in a loose-fitting black and green robe adorned with golden cloud motifs, while his white trousers bear traces of a *karakusa* pattern (plant scroll motifs). Hidesato is also known by the nickname “Lord of the Rice Sack” (*Tawara Tôda*). In Japanese folklore, he received this title after helping the Dragon King defeat the monstrous Seta centipede. As a token of gratitude, the Dragon King gave him a sack of rice and a roll of silk, both enchanted so that they would never run out or diminish. Period: Japan—18th century (Edo period). Dimensions: Height 55 cm, width 52 cm, depth 49 cm.