Fukurokuju

Ogata Kōrin

c. 1700

Hanging scroll, ink on paper

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A black ink drawing on paper depicts a seated, elderly figure with a long beard and bald head, wearing flowing robes. The figure is positioned on the left side of the composition, with a decorative border visible on the right. A black ink drawing on paper depicts a seated, elderly figure with a long beard and bald head, wearing flowing robes. The figure is positioned on the left side of the composition, with a decorative border visible on the right. Fukurokuju is one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (<I>Shichi fukujin</I>), a group of deities adopted into Japanese mythology from China as early as the 15th century. Fukurokuju's distinguishing feature is an elongated cranium, probably suggesting the vast wisdom he accumulated over his long life. Because Fukurokuju was emblematic of longevity, this charming painting of him would have been appropriate to dis