Antique Japanese Ivory Okimono
Daikoku
God of Luck / Shichifukujin
Artist Signature: Gyokusho, early 20th Century
Recorded artist in Contemporary Netsuke by Miriam Kinsey
H 4. in.(10cm), W 2.75 in.(7cm), D 1.75 in.(4.5cm)
Condition: crack line on left shoe

The name Daikoku may read in two different ways according to the kanji (Chinese characters) used. It may mean "Great Black", which is the Black bodied Hindu deity Mahakala, a three faces and six arms wrathful guardian, who is also worshipped in the Buddhist faith. However, by the 8th century in China, he was depicted as a gentle deity, and later was introduced to Japan around the 15th century. For that reason the Chinese characters Daikoku are the same as the Japanese symbols for Okuni, the Shinto God of Agriculture. The two deities and their characteristics became intermingled through time. Consequently, Daikoku began to appear with a mallet and rice bales, symbols of bountiful harvest. The okimono is an old break to his left foot otherwise in excellent condition.

Sold to Private Collection