{"title":"Sculpture","description":"\u003cp\u003eA collection of our sculptural pieces\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"vintage-japanese-carved-black-daikoku-figure","title":"Antique Japanese Carved Black Daikoku Figure","description":"\u003cp\u003eAntique Japanese stylised Daikoku Carving with rich black patina. Its unusual to have a patina so rich and deep, its appearance almost like lacquer. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut rather than being lacquer, the blackness comes from accumulated soot, from years of sitting high up in a traditional Japanese house above an open fire.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis must have been a much loved sculpture as years of handling it has smoothed and polished the soot into a fine shiny coating. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe form on this Daikoku is quite stylised and different to the more common Daikoku we often see. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStanding on a decorative formed base. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: 12cm x 11cm wide x 18cm tall\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kanso House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51764178387249,"sku":"SF004","price":299.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/files\/VintageJapanesecarvedblackdaikokufigure.jpg?v=1757392065"},{"product_id":"antique-japanese-carved-daikoku-figure-03","title":"Antique Japanese Carved Timber Ebisu Figure - 03","description":"\u003cp\u003eA charming antique 19th-20th Century Ebisu figure\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI acquired this and a number of other gods and Daikoku figures from a dealer in Tokyo who specialises in rare and unique folk sculpture, in his words Japan's Daikoku expert! We spent a wonderful afternoon talking about antiques and discussing the many nuances of the different sculptures, how to tell the age of the sculptures based on certain design features.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere is Watanabe San's description of this Ebisu Sculpture:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This is a wooden statue of Ebisu-sama, a deity who has been worshipped since ancient times as the god of fishing. He is also believed to preside over business prosperity and a bountiful harvest, making him one of the most famous deities in Japan, known by everyone. He is considered great friends with Daikokuten, who carries a large sack and a small mallet, and the two are often enshrined together. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Ebisu-sama carving possesses a highly unusual feature: its back is significantly hollowed out or scooped out. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI have handled over 300 Ebisu and Daikokuten figures, yet I have never seen an Ebisu statue like this. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConsequently, the reason why the back was carved out remains unknown. However, a close look at the back suggests that the hollowing looks like some kind of pattern. It appears to have been carved with specific intent, rather than just being simply hollowed out. It could be that the back may have been carved as a charm or a magical\/ritualistic pattern. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI also offer another hypothesis: the indentation on the back is shaped similarly to the sack carried by Daikokuten. It is possible that the statues were meant to be enshrined back-to-back. While the true reason may never be known, this is a wonderful piece that inspires a great deal of speculation.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI personally love the expression on this one and the face of the fish he is holding. The scalloped detail on the base is also very pleasing. This one is definitely a mingei folk art piece, not carved by a master which makes it even more charming.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures 11.5cm x 9cm wide x 4.5cm deep\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kanso House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51894937649457,"sku":"SF020","price":139.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/files\/Daikoku_light_photo_-05.jpg?v=1760746690"},{"product_id":"antique-japanese-carved-daikoku-06","title":"Antique Japanese Carved Timber Daikoku - 06","description":"\u003cp\u003eA lovely stylised antique Daikoku figure. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI acquired this and a number of other gods and Daikoku figures from a dealer in Tokyo who specialises in rare and unique folk sculpture, in his words Japan's Daikoku expert! We spent a wonderful afternoon talking about antiques and discussing the many nuances of the different sculptures, how to tell the age of the sculptures based on certain design features.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is Watanabe San's description of this Daikoku Sculpture:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Daikokuten (19th–20th Century) Since we've introduced so many of these pieces, you may already be quite familiar with Daikoku! Because he is the most intimate and beloved god in Japan, nearly every household once enshrined a statue of Daikoku. \u003cbr\u003eHistorically, in Japan, people believed that a deity resided in every single pebble and every single leaf—a concept known as yaoyorozu (eight million gods).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003cbr\u003eHowever, as the economy developed and people's lives became richer, the culture of enshrining god and Buddha statues has largely faded. Even so, faith in Lord Daikoku remains deeply rooted. You can still see stores and restaurants named after Daikoku all over town. Furthermore, because of his very approachable appearance, he sometimes serves as a local mascot for town development initiatives. As the god of business prosperity, he is popular among company owners, who sometimes enshrine him on a kamidana (household altar) in their office. Lord Daikoku is such an accessible figure that he can truly be called a part of the \"Japanese heart.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003cbr\u003eNow, this Daikoku certainly looks as though he will bring good fortune. Pay close attention to the small mallet in his right hand. This is called the Uchide no Kozuchi (a magic money-mallet), and tradition says that when it is shaken, gold coins appear. A wood carving of Daikoku with such a magnificent mallet is a little rare, in my opinion. His sack is also impressively large; this sack is said to be filled with treasure. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe sincerely hope you welcome this statue of Daikoku into your home and that you feel both his power to draw in good fortune and the spirit of the \"Japanese heart.\"\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I like about this Daikoku is the crisp details, the carving on the rice bails is especially fine, as is the carving of the clothes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures 13cm tall x 8cm wide x 7cm deep\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kanso House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51922130403633,"sku":"SF023","price":225.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/files\/Daikoku_light_photo_-31.jpg?v=1760746608"},{"product_id":"antique-japanese-carved-daikoku-mingei-folk-art-sculpture","title":"Antique Japanese Carved Timber Daikoku Mingei Folk Art Sculpture","description":"\u003cp\u003eA well carved large wooden folk statue of Daikokuten. Late Meiji Period, dating to the late 19th, early 20th Century. The expressive rounded carving style is typical of northern Japan and Hokkaido where this piece was found.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI love the carving on this one, it is so fluid and expressive, the years of accumulated soot from a lifetime in the rafters of a Japanese home have been polished to a fine sheen giving the appearance of a rich lacquer. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDaikoku is the god of fortune and wealth in Japan. Seen here standing on bails of rice straw, carrying a sack and a mallet. On the ends of the two rice bails and also on the end of the Hammer we see a Hoju motif. \u003cbr\u003eHoju is a sacred Gem symbolizing wish fulfillment, good health, wisdom, and the ability to overcome evil, which fits in with Daikoku's symbolism as an omen of good fortune.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures 15.5cm wide x 16.5cm long x 27.5cm tall. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kanso House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52941960806705,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/files\/Japanese_Black_Daikoku_carving-11.jpg?v=1772063203"},{"product_id":"vintage-japanese-painted-cast-iron-daruma","title":"Vintage Japanese Painted Cast Iron Daruma","description":"\u003cp\u003eA lovely little cast Iron standing Daruma statue. With a very fluid and sculptural pose. \u003cbr\u003ePainted in striking red with traces of gilded details. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDaruma is often depicted sitting or kneeling wrapped in his clothes, but here we see him standing tall holding a fly whisk and pulling his cloak up tightly. He has a soft and compassionate look on his face.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor its size it is incredibly heavy at around 3.5 kilos! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFound last year in Northern Japan. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures 10.5cm wide x 7cm deep x 21cm tall\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kanso House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52943112601905,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/files\/Japanese_Heavy_Cast_Iron_Daruma-9.jpg?v=1772072589"},{"product_id":"vintage-japanese-inabata-plaster-festival-samurai-doll","title":"Vintage Japanese Inabata Clay Festival Samurai Doll","description":"\u003cp\u003eA lovely vintage Inabata festival doll from Tamba in Hyogo Prefecture \u003cbr\u003eMade from a fine white clay, that resembles plaster. Influenced by Fushimi dolls from the Kyoto area. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDolls like these are often used to celebrate, childrens day festivals. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe story about their origin dates back to the Edo period, 16th Century. A young boy after seeing Fushimi clay dolls from Kyoto for sale, was inspired to create his own and sell them to help his father make money. By the 19th Century the family was still making over 100 different moulded figures. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis doll, is not that old, it would date from the Showa era, 1950-1970s. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn good condition for age, with fading and paint losses that I think contribute to its beauty. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures 29cm tall x 17.5cm wide\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kanso House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53196546638129,"sku":null,"price":255.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/files\/Vintage_japanese_Plaster_samurai-5.jpg?v=1773650241"},{"product_id":"antique-japanese-heavily-worn-mingei-folk-art-daikoku-figure","title":"Antique Japanese Wooden Mingei Folk Art Carving Daikoku Figure - Heavily Worn","description":"\u003cp\u003eA heavily worn folk art carving of Daikoku. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDaikoku is the god of fortune and wealth in Japan. Seen here standing on bails of rice straw. \u003cbr\u003eThis example is well worn and rounded, which suggests it was handled frequently, often people would rub these figures for good luck as you can see by the rounded facial features. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere are some losses to the hands  and back of one of the rice measures. \u003cbr\u003eA lovely well worn example of a piece of mingei Japanese folk art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures 16.5cm tall x 8.5cm wide\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kanso House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53841926488369,"sku":"SF003","price":149.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/files\/Japanese_Worn_Daikoku_sculpture-10.jpg?v=1776466614"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/collections\/Antique_Mingei_Daikokuten_figure_02.jpg?v=1776237225","url":"https:\/\/kansohouse.com.au\/collections\/sculpture.oembed","provider":"Kanso House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}