Minneapolis Institute of Art

Shaving Fukurokuju from a Ladder

Japan

Date: first half 18th century
Medium: Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper
Department: Asian Art
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Daikoku and Fukurokuju are included among the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Daikoku is associated with agriculture and is worshiped as a god of the fields. Fukurokuju, the god of longevity, is distinguished by his extremely elongated cranium, probably meant to suggest the vast wisdom he accumulated over his long life. As demand for religious imagery decreased, O_tsu-e artists turned to secular, often humorous subjects. Here Daikoku, attempts to shave Fukurokuju's impossibly tall head. Gripping a small razor in his right hand, he worriedly goes about his work. Fukurokuju. holding a bowl to catch the hairs as they fall, peers up skeptically at his earnest companion. Japan, Asia

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