The Kura - Japanese Art Treasures

Robert Mangold has been working with Japanese antiques since 1995 with an emphasis on ceramics, Paintings, Armour and Buddhist furniture.

Meiji Japanese Bronze Okimono, Rat with Hotei Bag


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Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Pre 1900: Item # 633397

Please refer to our stock # MBR2063 when inquiring.
The Kura
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23 Murasakino Monzen-cho
Kita-ward Kyoto 603-8216
tel.81-75-201-3497
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Unlike in the west, the rat has long been a symbol of fortune in Asia (it is after all one of the animals of the Zodiac). Here we see an interesting play on the animal. He stands on his back legs pulling a sack of treasure and magic mallet, perhaps having relieved these two articles from Hotei and Daikoku, two gods of fortune always pictured with them. Great detail and very clever, the piece is 6 inches (15 cm) long, 4-1/2 inches 811.5 cm) tall and in fine condition, likely dating from the first half of the Meiji period (later 19th century).