This Ebisu figure dates from the late Muromachi period to the early Edo period. Approximately 20cm tall. Above all, the face is magnificent. It's not the typical smiling face. Old Ebisu figures have expressionless faces. The smiling face that brings good fortune emerged around the mid-Edo period. Originally, Ebisu was a fearsome being from across the sea, a visiting god, a *yorishiro* (a spirit-attracting object). (The term "Ebisu" referred to the foreign tribes and people outside the borders, as seen from the Imperial Court.) There are various theories about the true identity of Ebisu, but the most famous is that he is "Hiruko," the first child of Izanagi and Izanami, who appear in the *Kojiki* (Records of Ancient Matters). Hiruko, who was unable to use his limbs, was placed in a reed boat and sent out to sea. This "abandoned god" is said to have later been worshipped as Ebisu. By the way, Ebisu is the only native Japanese god among the gods of fortune. Daikokuten: India Bishamonten: India Benzaiten: India Fukurokuju: China Jurōjin: China Hotei: China Ebisu: Japan This Ebisu statue holds a sea bream under his arm. However, there is no sign of him distributing fortune. (The sea bream is depicted as part of his body, not the exaggerated sea bream seen in the Edo period and later.) This is an Ebisu in the process of becoming a god of fortune from a god of the other world, and Ebisu statues of this stage are extremely rare... This Ebisu is not yet looking at the people; he is looking somewhere far away. It's a wonderful historical artifact... Please take a look. We will pack it carefully, but fragile parts such as chips may fall off during transportation. Please understand. #JapaneseHistory #HistoricalArtifacts #Mythology #ShrinesAndTemples #Mingei (Folk Crafts) #PrayingForAAbundantCatch #Gods #GoodLuck #BuddhistArt #BuddhistStatues #Antique #Antiques #OldThings #Sculpture #GoodLuckCharm #Art #CulturalProperty #Design #Art #Crafts #FolkCrafts #ManekiNeko (Beckoning Cat) #Fukusuke (Lucky Doll)