102 - JAPAN, 19th century

JAPAN, 19th century Painting on a scroll (kakejiku) depicting Daikokuten, one of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin) who are highly revered in Japan. Daikokuten is the deity of prosperity, good fortune, abundance, and domestic well-being. He is generally depicted standing or seated on bales of rice, holding a lucky mallet (uchide no kozuchi) and carrying an inexhaustible bag of treasures over his shoulder—all attributes that underscore his role as a bestower of wealth and happiness. Here, he is depicted sitting on a bale of rice, holding the mallet in front of him with his right hand, while his bag—which never empties—hangs from his shoulder. Signed and sealed in the lower right corner: “Painted by Tanyû’sai” (探幽斎筆), accompanied by the seal “Ushin” (守信). This signature should be interpreted as a tribute to Kanô Tanyû, and not as a work by his own hand. Executed in ink and color on silk. Mounted on a brocaded silk backing in golden tones. Period: Japan, 19th century (late Edo period / early Meiji period). Dimensions: Scroll: height 161 cm, width 41 cm Image: height 80 cm, width 26.5 cm (Signs of wear, creases, etc.)