From our recent Japanese acquisitions

Do you have a ship to deliver you good fortune this year?

Suited for a museum, special indoor gallery space, or garden comes this Japanese superbly hand cast solid bronze fortune treasure boat “Takarabune” in full sail proudly brandishing images of the seven lucky gods on hull and three messengers of fortune on sail: plum tree, bamboo, and pine. Its ships’ hold bursts with gold, sake, coral, jewels, and a full purse.

During the first three days of the New Year the Seven Lucky Gods are said to pilot through the heavens to human ports as the Takarabune or Treasure Ship. As it sails into town bringing good fortune, the takarabune is celebrated in a New Year’s tradition in Japan, especially by hopeful businesses.

It is superbly hand modeled and decorated with wave and cloud, lotus and dragon motif Japans famous phoenix and turtle among many images cast into one of its sides. The hold is chock full of detailed almost realistic dimensional interior treasures including a Kirin flanked by a dragon and a phoenix and a great number of good fortune attributes: gold koban coin, sake casks galore, the sacred key, precious coral, a valued scroll, the hat of invisibility, the lucky Hammer, an open book, precious jewels, natural treasures, and the eponymous never empty purse. The sail turns to and fro and even the rudder works! The free moving silk tassels adorning sail is decorated with good luck images of every description. And the ship’s hull depicts Japan’s lucky gods:

1 Ebisu the god of prosperity and wealth in business
2 Daikokuten the god of commerce and prosperity.
3 Bishamonten, adopted by the Japanese culture, is the god of fortune in war and battles, also associated with authority and dignity.
4 Benzaiten, while being the only female Fukujin in the modern grouping of seven Fukujin, she was given the attributes of financial fortune, talent, beauty and music among others.
5 Jurojin, considered the incarnation of the southern pole star is the god of the elderly and longevity
6 Hotei is the god of fortune, guardian of the children, patron of diviners and barmen, and also the god of popularity. He is depicted as a fat, smiling, bald man usually with a curly moustache.
7 Fukurokuju, another Shichifukujin, has his origins in China and is believed that he used to be a hermit during the Chinese Song dynasty, distinguished for being a reincarnation of the Taoist god Hsuan-wu. He is the god of wisdom, luck, longevity, wealth and happiness.
And sometimes:
8 Kichijoten, a Fukujin goddess. Is also known as Kisshoutennyo, and is adapted via Buddhism from the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Kisshoten was given the traits beauty, happiness, and fertility.

Fine quality.

A unique, impressive sculpture destined for the finest collection and indoor space or garden display.

Handmade and hand cast. Boat and attachable sail make two pieces. This is only the second example of this impressive form we have had the pleasure of handling in over twenty years.

Only one available.

Dimensions: 43 inches tall and 42 inches long and 19 inches deep, heavy.

Provenance: Private Japanese American Collection.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.

History of Seven Lucky Gods:

In Japanese mythology, the Seven Lucky Gods or Seven Gods of Fortune (shichifukujin in Japanese) are believed to grant good luck and often have their place in netsuke engravings or in other representations. These gods have been recognized for over a thousand years. In the beginning, these gods were worshiped by merchants as the first two (Ebisu and Daikokuten) were gods of business and trade. Subsequently, the other classes of Japanese society looked for other gods that could correspond with their professions: Benzaiten as the patron of the arts, Fukurokuju as the patron of the sciences.

We have been dealing in authentic Japanese, Chinese, European, and Asian Fine art, antiquities, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels to Japan, Europe and China each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition. After accumulating a group, they are imported to Vermont in large containers. This method keeps shipping costs low and enables us to offer them to you at reasonable prices. We ship internationally.