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Mayumi Oda (1941- )
Japan, Showa era, 1976
Silkscreen print, Ink on hand-made Japanese paper
H x W (Image): 78.7 × 57.8 cm (31 × 22 3/4 in)
Purchase and partial gift of the Kenneth and Kiyo Hitch Collection from Kiyo Hitch with funds from the Mary Griggs Burke Endowment
S2019.3.1338
An avowed women’s rights activist, Mayumi Oda celebrates the power of women and critiques systems of male dominance in her work. According to Japanese folklore, during the first three days of the New Year (Shōgatsu), the Seven Lucky Gods of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin) pilot the takarabune, or “treasure ship,” through the heavens. Placing a print depicting the takarabune under one’s pillow during the New Year celebrations is thought to cause lucky dreams, an auspicious sign for the year ahead. In this print, Oda has depicted only the goddess Benzaiten (Sarasvati) and left out the other six gods, who are all male. Oda seems to imply good fortune comes by the grace of Benzaiten alone. She considers Benzaiten her guardian goddess and relies on her for guidance, protection, and inspiration.
