Figure Item Number: N2.976 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Light coloured wooden standing figure known as Daikokuten (大黒天) with a big sack over his left shoulder and a uchide no kozuchi (打ち出の小槌), or a legendary magic mallet in his right hand, standing on bales called tawara (俵) full of rice. Some painting on features; carved in a sophisticated style. Japanese calligraphy on the back; writing includes the name of a place: Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県鎌倉). Usually shown as a pair with Ebisu (N2.975).
History Of Use
Daikokuten (大黒天) is one of shichifukujin (七福神), the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. He is the deity of food and fortune. Daikokuten is a syncretic deity and derives from Mahākāla, the Hindu deity Shiva that was absorbed by Buddhism as a guardian of the faith. Later also conflated with the Shinto deity called Ōkuninushi no kami (大国主神), master of the great land. Daikokuten is often paired with Ebisu (えびす) also one of shichifukujin (七福神), the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. They are often displayed together.
Iconographic Meaning
Daikokuten is usually depicted as a plump old male figure with a smiling face.
Item History
- Made in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
- Collected by Ronald P. Dore between 1957 and 1958
- Owned by Ronald P. Dore before 1958
- Received from Ronald P. Dore (Seller) and Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source) during 1958
What
Who
- Culture
- Japanese
- Field Collector
- Ronald P. Dore
- Previous Owner
- Ronald P. Dore
- Received from
- Ronald P. Dore (Seller) and Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
When
- Collection Date
- between 1957 and 1958
- Ownership Date
- before 1958
- Acquisition Date
- during 1958
Other
- Item Classes
- carvings & sculpture
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 79
- Accession Number
- 0028/0074 b