Title: Gozu Tenno and the Eight Gods of the Year, Circa 1700-1800. A Mid to Late Edo Period Honji Suijaku Painting of Toshitokujin, the New Year’s God
Condition: Very Good
An Early to Mid Edo Period, 18th century painting depicting Gozu Tenno and the Eight Gods of the Year. More specifically, the painting represents depictions of Toshitokujin, the New Year’s God, and the Eight Directional Deities, the latter of which are deified forms of planets and stars. The list of deities is as followed:
Taisaijin (Great Year Deity)
Daishōgun (Great General)
Taionjin (Great Shade)
Saigyōshin (Punishment Year Deity)
Saihajin (Breaking Year Deity)
Saisetsujin (Killing Year Deity)
Ōbanjin (Yellow Banner)
Hyōbijin (Leopard Tail)
The direction of Taisaijin is considered auspicious in all things, the direction of Daishōgun is considered unlucky in all things, the direction of Taionjin and Hyōbijin is considered unlucky for marrying and childbirth, the direction of Saigyōshin is considered unlucky for sowing seeds and planting trees, the direction of Saihajin and Ōbanjin is considered unlucky for construction work, and the direction of Saisetsujin is considered unlucky for relocation travel. The directions of the eight gods vary depending on the branch of the year. In folk calendars, it is customary to record the directions of the eight gods.
A theory once widely accepted until the Meiji Period; it was once purported that Indian Buddhist deities could choose to appear in Japan as native kami to more easily convert and save the Japanese. The theory states that some kami are local manifestations of Buddhist deities.
The painting has been neatly mounted onto a brocade decorated kakejiku (hanging scroll), with jikusaki (knobs) made of wood.
One painting mounted on a kakejiku (hanging scroll), 173.5 x 53.5 cm full size, 98.5 x 45 cm main painting
This painting is in very good shape, with a few creases and old stains to the painting. There is an old repair to the rear at the bottom, near the wooden jikusaki.