Benzaiten (also known as Benten) is a Japanese goddess of water, music, the arts, love, wisdom, wealth, and fortune. Benzaiten derives from Sarasvati, a pan-Indian goddess revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Worship of Benzaiten arrived along with the introduction of Buddhism in Japan during the sixth through eighth centuries. In Japan, the goddess is associated with both Buddhism and Shintoism. Benzaiten is often shown sitting on a rock by the sea holding a biwa, a traditional Japanese lute (F1975.29.4; F1903.111, F1975.29.4). She is sometimes accompanied by dragons and/or snakes, related creatures in Japanese folklore that are associated with water (F1904.134). Here, Oda shows Benzaiten playing the biwa with a paper talisman depicting a coiled snake on the boat next to her.
Benzaiten is one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin) (S2003.8.2194). The other gods are Ebisu, Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Jurōjin, Hotei, and Fukurokuju.
The treasures typically included on the takarabune are the hat of invisibility (kakuregasa), rolls of brocade (orimono), the inexhaustible purse (kanebukuro), the secret keys to the treasure shed of the gods (kagi), the scrolls of books of wisdom and life (makimono), the magic mallet (kozuchi), the lucky raincoat (kakuremino), the robe of fairy feathers (hagoromo), and the bag of fortune (nunobukuro). Oda does not detail these treasures but instead represents them as piles of boxes and reed-covered packages. She also includes several auspicious symbols representing longevity and luck, such as a crane in the sky, a turtle in the ocean, and pine and bamboo branches on the boat.
Other examples of takarabune in the museum’s collections include: F1974.107-109; S1997.80; F2014.8.31a–g
I was 36 years old when I created this series, and it was a very turbulent time in my life. I had become very ill and forced to change my diet to a macrobiotic one. As I began eating grains and vegetables, suddenly the colors of my palette became more vivid and alive, as if I had taken off colored sunglasses. I was filling with an inner strength as I underwent a new spiritual awakening.
—Oda Mayumi
This is a silkscreen print. Silkscreen is a method of printmaking that uses stencils made from a mesh screen, traditionally made of silk. Ink is forced through the screen onto the printed surface. Like many other methods of printing, different stencils are required for each color.
Oda annotated this print with the words “Artist Proof.” An artist proof is a term used to indicate an impression that has been made outside of the regular numbered edition. Typically, an artist proof is a way for the artist to make final adjustments to the printed image, such as to the colors or printing technique used. Sometimes, however, the artist proof is made after the edition to reissue an image that has sold out. Although prints are often multiples of the same base image, variations can occur in the printing process.
