The Kitchen God
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.In China an image of the Kitchen God is pasted above stoves to observe all activities in the house. At the New Year the image is burned, and the god returns to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor, who rules the universe. His testimony would determine the family’s fortunes in the coming year.
In this print the haloed Kitchen God and his wife sit formally behind an altar. They are flanked by two youths holding jars marked “good” and “evil,” into which they will cast counters for each good and evil deed carried out during the year. The inscribed couplet reads:
Ascend to Heaven and report nice things;
Return to your palace and bestow good luck.
In this print the haloed Kitchen God and his wife sit formally behind an altar. They are flanked by two youths holding jars marked “good” and “evil,” into which they will cast counters for each good and evil deed carried out during the year. The inscribed couplet reads:
Ascend to Heaven and report nice things;
Return to your palace and bestow good luck.
Artwork Details
- Zaojun
- Title: The Kitchen God
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: dated 1873
- Culture: China
- Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper with additional hand coloring
- Dimensions: Image: 12 3/8 x 8 1/2 in. (31.4 x 21.6 cm)
Overall: 21 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (55.3 x 40 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: On loan from the British Museum- donated by Mrs R. E. A. Hughes-Jones
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art