| 19th
Century Japanese Netsuke
Fukurokuju
Holding
Scroll & Fan
Netsuke Signature:
Gyokushi, Circa: 19th Century
h.
2 in.(5cm.), w. 1. in.(2.5cm.), d. 0.75 in.(2cm.)
condition: very
good
A
fine 19th netsuke, highly detailed with exceptional modeling of the face and subtle
smile, cream to gold in color, depicting Fukurokuju, one of the seven gods of
good fortune, whose name means wisdom, luck and longevity. Here the exaggerated
proportions contribute to the dwarfish appearance, continued at the back with
great charm. |
Private Collection
| Fukurokuju
is three gods rolled into one: (Fuku), wealth(Roku), and Lo (Ju). He was a Chinese
Hermit of the Sung Dynasty who was a reincarnation of the Taoist god Hsuan-Wu,
a crown prince who, like Buddha, refused to be made a king and left worldly life
to study religion, devoting his life to the study of Taoism and eventually becoming
an Immortal. Fukurokuju is a Sennin -- a rustic philosopher who can exist without
eating any food. He is a small elderly man with an elongated forehead (seat of
the third eye and the source of his mystic wisdom). He is the only god among the
Seven Gods of Good Fortune who is credited with being able to revive the dead.
He carries a fan and a scroll of sacred teachings upon which is written all the
knowledge and wisdom of the world. |
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