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Ichiroya has graciously allowed me to use
images from their site to illustrate my ramblings. This is not
a financial arrangement I have made - I simply believe them to
be wonderful people with whom I enjoy doing business, and wish
to support their endeavors. Ichiroya is a web based treasure
trove of Japanese textiles, antiques, and information. If you
haven't visited them in the past, just click on the icon to the
left! Or, click on any of the images below to be taken directly
to their page for more images and information.
Out with everything bad, in with everything
good!
This is the basic concept behind the
actions of the ancient couple as the old woman sweeps away all
that one would prefer left behind, and the old man gathers in
with his rake all that has been good and desirable.
Jotomba backed by a rising sun, offering
hope of new adventures and good things to come. A ideal emblem
for new beginnings and the first day of the new year.
Although the image represented is akebono,
or sunrise, I find that to think of this as a sunset -
representing contentment in a life well lived - is also very
heart warming.
Takasago, the legend of the contented
couple, is one of Japan's oldest and is performed in the Noh
Theater story by the same name. Takasago is actually the
location of the tale. The old man is called Jou and the old
woman Uba, and as a couple they are called Jotomba. Deeply
devoted in life, the old couple passed away within moments of
each other and their spirits were transformed into pine trees:
he a black pine and she a red. They are most commonly depicted
with the woman on the right (as we face them), the man on the
left, and often a pine tree in the background. It is not
unusual to see them accompanied by a crane and a tortoise, as
well as other felicitous symbols.
E-gasuri (pictorial ikat) piece. Indigo on
cotton.
One of the particular joys of collecting
Takasago designs, is comparing how the artist has chosen to
depict the facial expressions of Jou and Uba. Compare the
images shown in this article for just a hint of the nuances
possible.
Hand-painted fukusa illustrating actors in
the Noh Theater play. Notice they are wearing masks.
Jou is always shown to carry a rake and
Uba a broom. As she sweeps away all sorrow and ill fortune, Jou
takes care to rake in the blessings of the past. They are an
excellent reminder of the joy and contentment that comes from
striving through life's challenges in a devoted and loving
relationship. This makes them ideally suited to be placed on
display for all new undertakings. You will find their images
portrayed at weddings, anniversaries, and New Year
celebrations.
Wedding curtain in five panels. Silk,
hand-painted. In this piece Jou is holding a fan in his right
hand, the rake and broom are lying under the pine tree to the
right. In the background we may see Houraisan, the Mountain of
the Immortals.
Can you find the tortoise image along with
the other felicitous images of the crane, pine, bamboo, and
plum?
Not everyone expresses joy and contentment
in the same manner...
Every now and again, I come across a
curator with a very curious attitude. They will make comments
such as “So much of Japanese art is simply a repeat of
the same motif over and over again - there is no
originality!” I've always found this view point very
difficult to comprehend, as most often the same curator would
never lament, “Oh, no! Another Renaissance Pieta!”
The images have a very specific role to play in communicating
cultural values in a direct and meaningful manner. The
creativity and originality is in the subtle interpretations and
nuances the artist is able to infuse in the work. This,
unfortunately, is often lost on those visually illiterate in
the culture. But what a delight it is to be able to share the
humor of an artist from an earlier age, if only we take a few
moments to learn to see.
