Rats and Rice Bales

Object Details

Label: Rice bales are traditional emblems of wealth in pictures of the popular god Daikoku, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Daikoku is not shown, but his association with this symbol of wealth, which he usually protects, may be one of many meanings embedded in this unusual picture. Perhaps it represents the fragility of accumulated wealth or possibly competition for survival among social groups or classes. This image may have expressed such meanings more vividly in the aftermath of the devastating Tenpo famine (1833-36).
Provenance: To 1904; Michael Tomkinson (1841-1921), Kidderminster, England, to 1904 [1]; From 1904 to 1919; Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Michael Tomkinson in 1904 [2]; From 1920; Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]; Notes:; [1] See Original Kakemono List, L. 433, pg. 115, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.; [2] See note 1.; [3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.
Collection: Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History: Hokusai: Mad About Painting (November 20, 2019 to January 9, 2022); Hokusai (October 25, 2005 to May 14, 2006)
Previous custodian or owner: Michael Tomkinson (1841-1921) (C.L. Freer source); Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

Related Online Resources: Google Cultural Institute
See more items in: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Topic: Edo period (1615 - 1868); rat; Japan; ukiyo-e; Japanese Art; rice; Charles Lang Freer collection

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye34c8385fa-6485-4443-a225-21f3e8a8d897