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

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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Beauty, Kano Chikanobu Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper<br/>Reverse side: ink and color on silk, Japan — Beauty
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Birds and Flowers of Autumn and Winter, Kano Chikanobu Japanese, Six-panel folding screen; ink and color on silk, Japan — Birds and Flowers of Autumn and Winter
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“Takebun,” from the Musical Drama “The New Piece” (Shinkyoku), Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, gold and silver leaf on paper, Japan — “Takebun,” from the Musical Drama “The New Piece” (Shinkyoku)
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early 17th century

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