Seven Gods of Good Fortune and Chinese Children

17th–18th century
Not on view
In this screen, three of the seven gods of good fortune (Daikoku, Ebisu, and Hotei) and a group of Chinese children serve as visual references to wealth, prosperity, and abundance. Some of the children pull a flower cart (hana-guruma) laden with a bamboo basket overflowing with peonies (emblematic of riches and honor) and other flowers associated with good fortune. The figures display the artist’s awareness of Chinese traditions; in China the theme of One Hundred Boys was a popular and auspicious subject for painting, and in Japan the motif of karako (Tang-Dynasty Children) symbolized longevity and health for offspring. The elegant fusion of ink and colors and the tight spatial composition mark an accomplished Kano-studio product.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 狩野周信筆 七福神唐子図屏風
  • Title: Seven Gods of Good Fortune and Chinese Children
  • Artist: Kano Chikanobu (Japanese, 1660–1728)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 17th–18th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Six-panel folding screen; ink, color, and gilt on paper; Reverse side: ink, color, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: 69 1/4 in. × 12 ft. 9 in. (175.9 × 388.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.100.498
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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