Fushimi figurine (Fushimi ningyo), figure of Hotei
Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
19th century -
Geography
Fushimi, Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan -
Material
Earthenware with cold pigments and soot -
Dimension
H x W x D: 15.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 cm (6 1/8 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in) -
Accession Number
F1899.20 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1899.20
Object Details
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Artist
Fushimi Koemon -
Description
Fushimi doll (Fushimi ningyo [Jap]) Hotei standing. Hollow.Clay: earthenware, shaped in mold.Glaze: flesh - reddish-buff and brown; remainder - dark browns and black. (soot deposits). -
Inscriptions
Incised on the back of this figure is the name "Tofukuji Monzen Koemon [Jap]" The inscription is barely legible and, moreover, it appears to be incised through the soot that blackens much of the surface of the figure, so it may be spurious. However, that name links this figure to a pair of figures attributed to Koemon (F1903.222-223) as well as to a glazed ceramic "copy" of a Fushimi Otafuku doll (F1905.249). Ikaruga Koemon [Jap], according to oral tradition, moved to the village of Fukakusa, near Fushimi, after the battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and began the production of Fushimi votive dolls. Spurious inscriptions of his name appear frequently on old Fushimi dolls. In fact, earthenware was being made in the Fushimi area (for ritual use in the shrine) long before 1600, and the production of molded votive images would appear to be a natural offshoot of the older activity. Such images served as souvenirs (miyage [Jap], local products") for the pilgrims who thronged to the shrine on auspicious days. Fushimi dolls are mentioned in printed books of 1702 and 1730, making them perhaps the oldest documented images of this sort. They exerted an influence on the production of such images ("clay dolls," tsuchi ningyo [Jap]) throughout Japan. -
Provenance
To 1899S. Eida, to 1899 [1]From 1899 to 1919Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from S. Eida in 1899 [2]From 1920Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]Notes:[1] See Original Pottery List, L. 253, 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
Kyoto Ceramics (November 9, 1984 to April 25, 1985) -
Previous custodian or owner
S. Eida (C.L. Freer source)Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919) -
Origin
Fushimi, Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan -
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer -
Type
Sculpture -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
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