Passed
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Description
3" (8 cm.) Arranged atop a wood display stand covered with double broade silk in yusoka patterns,are six figures in slightly gosho-ningo style with round faces covered in gofun with painted details and real hair. Condition: seventh god (Hotei,not shown in photograph) is missing head,some instruments missing,some gofun discoloration and losses to hair. Comments: Japan,Edo period,mid-19th century,depicted are six of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichigofukufin) arrayed in parody fashion as court musicians for Hina-Matsuri Girl's Day celebration; namely,Fukurokuju,the god of wisdom,with a tall silk brocade cap with tsutsumi (shoulder drum); Daikoku,the god of daily wealth,with round silk cap and shoulder drum; Benzaiten,the goddess of music and culture,with flanged cap; Jurojim,the god of longevity,seated with a rectangular cap playing the taiko (large drum); Bishamonten,the god of war,standing; and Ebisu,the god of daily provision,seated. Parody (mitate) of popular gods and other figures drawn from popular culture was a favorite form of artistic expression during the Edo period. Value Points: unusual and early parody set with special significance.