One Hundred Good Fortunes

Maker(s)
Artist: Konishi Kosui (born 1856)
Historical period(s)
Meiji era, late 19th century
Medium
Ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 60 x 104.8 cm (23 5/8 x 41 1/4 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — funds provided by the bequest of Edith Ehrman
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1976.42
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Hanging scroll

Keywords
drum, Japan, kakemono, koto, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), shamisen, work
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

Each of the cheerful women in this picture is engaged in an everyday task or leisure activity, such as the preparation of food or the performance of music and dance. Their plump figures and faces, most of which have exaggerated foreheads, resemble the Japanese popular deity of prosperity and mirth known variously as Uzume, Otafuku, or Okame. The name Uzume is abbreviated from Ame no Uzume no Mikoto who is said to have been the deity who performed a dance to lure the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami out of her cave. Masks shaped with her distinctive features were used for comic dances.

The theme of this picture was inspired by a literal reading of the name Otafuku, meaning "many fortunes," or "abundant luck." Here the artist multiplies the images of the happy and fortunate goddess one hundred times to create a highly entertaining scene full of activity and humor.

Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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