Ota Kagaku (?-1934) "Ebisu and Daikokuten" Taisho-Showa era, Japanese hanging scroll, kakejiku

Art work details

Shipping table

Setting weight
This piece weighs 0.9 kg and will be shipped in 100 size.

Material
Japanese pigments on silk

Size
Overall: vertical 204.5㎝ × width 68.0㎝ (80.51 in × 26.77 in) ＊width does not include roller ends.
(the work: vertical 124.0㎝ × width 56.5㎝ (48.82 in × 22.24 in))

Condition
・There are burns, stains, wrinkles, peeling off, floats on the Japanese paper on the back of the cover.
・There are burns, stains, wrinkles, folds on the image.
・There are burns, stains, wrinkles, warp in the mounting.

Remarks
・Roller ends is Wooden.
・It comes in a paper box.

Materials for mounting
All of them are made of silk.

Other
There is a note about shipping restrictions and VAT. Please check before purchase.
There may be a slight difference in color between the photo and the actual product.

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Biography
Ota Kagaku (?-1934)

Ota Kagaku was a Japanese painter of the Meiji and Taisho eras, born in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture.
He was the eldest son of Tohei Ota, a liquor store owner in Nezaki.
He loved painting since childhood and trained in garment painting in Yui Village, Adachi District, and in Kawamata Town, Date District.
Without a master, he taught himself to skillfully paint flowers, birds, landscapes, and figures with his left hand.
He was particularly skilled in ink painting of Buddhist subjects, leaving behind many works.
His grave is located at Zensho-ji Temple in Nezaki, Nihonmatsu City. He was also known as Yakichi.

From the store

There are many paintings of Ebisu and Daikokuten, but few are as well-drawn as this one. The creative approach adds to the charm of the piece, making it even more captivating. Within this painting alone, twelve auspicious motifs are depicted.

*Ebisu: Worshipped as the god of prosperity in business, good fishing, and abundant harvests. He is depicted holding a fishing rod in his right hand and a sea bream in his left, symbolizing wealth and good fortune.

*Daikokuten: A god who governs over good harvests and fortune. By the Edo period (1603-1868), he was depicted as a jovial, rotund figure sitting atop rice bales, solidifying his image as a symbol of prosperity and wealth.

*White Mouse and White Rice: The mouse is a messenger of Daikokuten, symbolizing fortune and wealth, as well as a pattern of prosperity and fertility. Traditionally, the pattern is known as "Masu-Nezumi," combining the rice measure box with the mouse coming to eat it, likely expressing a wish for a bountiful harvest. In this painting, the charming detail of the mice diligently carrying the rice instead of eating it is particularly delightful.

*Dragon and Jewel(Houshu:宝珠): The pattern on Daikokuten's clothing features dragons and jewels. Dragons are often depicted holding a round jewel in their hand or mouth, believed to have the power to grant any wish. Upon closer inspection, the family crest on the white mouse's coat also bears the jewel motif.

*Pine: A symbol of longevity. Pine trees, with lifespans of a thousand years, are considered auspicious for their beauty and strength, especially in winter when they remain green even under snow.

*Bamboo: A symbol of prosperity and vitality. It grows straight towards the sky, bending but never breaking. With the strength to grow to the height of its parent in about three months and the ability to produce new shoots year-round, it symbolizes resilience and continuous growth.

*Plum Blossom: A symbol of prosperity and nobility. As the first flower to bloom in the cold, it heralds the coming of spring. In this painting, the plum blossom motif is interestingly depicted in gold on the jar beside Daikokuten.

*Crane: Known as a symbol of longevity, as expressed in the saying "Cranes live for a thousand years." The crane is also a symbol of marital harmony, due to the affectionate behavior observed between pairs.

*Rising Sun and Waves: The rising sun symbolizes the prosperity and good fortune of the family, as well as the hope for a bright future. The ocean waves in the background represent the changing tides of life, with calm waves symbolizing family harmony.

*Adonis:(Fukujuso) This flower, which blooms around the time of the old lunar New Year (around February in today's calendar), has long been used as an auspicious flower to decorate the alcove during the New Year's festivities.

The term "Ouju(應需)" near the artist's seal means that the work was painted in response to a request.

Although this painter is relatively unknown, the skill evident in this work explains why they were commissioned to create such celebratory images. The fact that it was a commissioned piece is reflected in the intensity and care put into the painting.

Overall, there are some creases, wrinkles, and stains, and the original box is missing, replaced by a paper box, which is unfortunate. However, I hope you can appreciate this wonderful auspicious painting created by a local artist.