Wooden Netsuke of Fukurokuju, Seven Lucky Gods, 19th century
Title: Wooden Netsuke of Fukurokuju
Carver: Unsigned
Date: 19th century
Dimensions: (H) 7.1 x (W) 1.5 x (D) 2.6 cm
Original Japanese antique.
A wooden netsuke of Fukurokuju. As one of the Seven Lucky Gods, he is the god of the elderly and of longevity in Japanese Buddhist mythology.
Netsuke were practical fashion accessories worn by Japanese men of the Edo period (1615-1868). Kimono has no pockets, and only women's garments had places in the sleeve to keep small objects. In contrast, men would carry their personal accessories by hanging them from the sash wrapped around their waist. Netsuke would therefore act as a 'toggle' that kept the sash hanging by preventing it from slipping.
Like many other art forms, netsuke reflect the nature of the society that produced them, displaying every aspect of Japanese culture, including its rich folklore and religion, crafts, trades, and professions, all types of people and creatures, both real and imagined, and every kind of object.
| Dimensions | (H) 7.1 x (W) 1.5 x (D) 2.6 cm |
|---|---|
| Condition Report | Well-worn with external areas showing aged wood patina. |
| Subject | Ghosts & Religion |
| Product Date | 19th century |
