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In 2006, a magnificent collection of Chinese and Japanese ivory was donated
to The Dayton Institute by Jack Graef Jr., Linda Stein, Susan Shettler and
their
families, in memory of their parents, Jack and Marilyn Graef. One of these
works,
an ivory carving depicting the Seven
Gods of Good Fortune on a Treasure Boat, will be exhibited in the New
Acquisitions Gallery.
The Seven Gods of Good Fortune are a group of Indian, Chinese and Japanese
deities associated with Buddhism, Taoism and Shinto. The concept of the
Seven Gods or Shichifukujin in Japanese (shichi means seven, fuku means
luck, and jin means god) is thought to have originated in the 15th and 16th
centuries during the Muromachi period (13921573).
The names and descriptions of the Seven Gods are as follows (from the bow to stern of the boat):
Hotei, the Chinese god of contentment and happiness (also known as the laughing Buddha), has a huge stomach and is holding a fan.
Daikokuten, the Hindu god of wealth and prosperity, is wearing a court dress with a hood and is holding a mallet.
Benzaiten, the Indian goddess of music, art, and literature, is wearing a courtly garment and is holding a lute.
Bishamonten, the god of warriors, is wearing armor and is holding a Buddhist pagoda. An attendant accompanies him.
Ebisu, the Shinto god of fishermen and merchants, is holding a fish. He represents the good fortune and bounty of the sea.
Fukurokuji, the Chinese god of wisdom and longevity, has a long beard and is wearing a Chinese court costume. He is holding a Buddhist sutra scroll.
Jurojin, the Chinese god of longevity, is wearing the outfit of a Chinese sage and is often said to inhabit a body similar to Fukurokuji.
The Seven Gods became popular with urban merchants and artisans who believed
that these gods looked after their physical and commercial well being. It is
unknown when the image of the Seven Gods of Fortune first appeared together
on a boat, but it became popular in the 19th century, especially during the
New Year. The legend states that on New Year's Eve, the Seven Gods would
arrive on a treasure boat bearing gifts for everyone.
The boat donated to The Dayton Art Institute has a large sail with openwork
designs and the Japanese character for treasure. Each figure is carved
with distinctive facial features and is adorned with intricately designed
costumes. Resting on a wooden stand carved with wave patterns, the boat is
elaborately decorated with a phoenix bird at the bow, intricate wood-grain
carving on the deck and keel, and inlays of mother-of-pearl and other
precious stones throughout. These details reflect the ivory craftsmanship
of the Meiji period in Japan.