Antique FINE Metal Casting Japanese Statue/Sculpture Daikokuten Seven Lucky Gods

  

Stands 10.25" (26cm) Tall x 5" (12.5cm) Wide at base. Overall in good condition - but please see pictures noting the small dent/crack that is hidden under (& rear) the base-area (seen in the last two photos and highlighted by a red-circle). , the god of great darkness or blackness, or the god of five cereals, is one of the Seven Lucky Gods.

Daikokuten evolved from the Buddhist. Form of the Indian deity. The name is the Japanese equivalent of. The Hindu name for Shiva.

The god enjoys an exalted position as a household deity in Japan. Daikoku's association with wealth and prosperity precipitated a custom known as fukunusubi, or "theft of fortune". This custom started with the belief that whoever stole divine figures was assured of good fortune if not caught in the act.

The toshi-no-ichi (year-end market) held at Senso-ji. Became the main venue of the sale and disposal of such images by the fortune-seekers. The Japanese also maintain the symbol of Mahakala as a monogram. The traditional pilgrims climbing the holy Mount Ontake. (a kind of white scarf) with the seed syllable. Daikoku is variously considered to be the god of wealth, or of the household, particularly the kitchen. He is recognized by his wide face, smile, and a flat black hat. He is often portrayed holding a golden mallet.

Otherwise known as the "mallet of fortune", and is seen seated on bales of rice.