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Okame, Japanese Goddess of Mirth, Stoneware Sculpture browse these categories for related items... Directory: Vintage Arts:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Okimono: Pre 1930: Item # 369271
BENIBANA New York, Tokyo, and Beyond www.trocadero.com/benibana SOLD |
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This is an unusual sculpture of Okame (aka Otafuku/Ofuku), the Japanese Goddess of Mirth. She is elegantly dressed in several layers of kimono. Her outer kimono (purple) is extra long, and she wears it loosely, without a sash. Her demure composure, kimono fashion, and hair style all recall Japan's ancient, Heian period (8-11th century) Imperial court culture. Might this Okame be an homage to Murasaki Shikibu (11th-century lady of the court and author of "The Tale of Genji")? And Murasaki means "purple" . . . . Okame is known for her wit and humor, and she often assumes different personas, while playing out parodies on Japanese art/culture. This statue of Okame is wonderfully hand-built in a manner similar to Shigaraki stoneware "tanuki" dogs (w/thick walls and a hollowed out core). But the glaze colors--eggplant purple, green, blue, yellow, red, and white--are somewhat similar to those of Kutani porcelain. Wherever she was made, whatever her provenance, she is a fantastic Japanese "mingei" folk art object. A one-of-a-kind. In excellent condition. She seems to be 80-100 years old. Measurements |
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