Sake cup

Sake cup

Signed on the base
Japanese, 19th century
Lacquerware

Ready to welcome in the New Year, our Object of the Month for January is this sake (rice wine) cup with a design that symbolises good fortune, prosperity, and longevity. A crane and a turtle can be seen next to the treasure ship, takarabune, of the seven lucky gods, as it comes into dock.

The seven lucky gods are a group originating from China, Japan, and Buddhist traditions. On New Years Eve, it is believed that they arrive into ports on their treasure ship, bringing treasures and good fortune for all. It is traditional to place an image of the lucky gods and their treasure ship under your pillow on New Year’s night. If you have a good dream, you will have luck for the year ahead.

The row of buildings depicted on this sake cup are waterside storehouses, similar to the ones seen in the woodblock print by Hokusai of the Nihonbashi bridge (c. 1830 – 1834).

The seven lucky gods are Ebisu, the god of the ocean, commerce, and fortune; Daikokuten, the god of the earth, agriculture, and wealth; Benzaiten, the goddess of music, beauty, and art; Hotei, the god of happiness; Fukurokuju, the god of longevity; Jurojin, the god of wisdom; Bishamonten, the god of treasure and protection.

One of our previous Object of the Months was a vase in the Castle’s collection depicting some of the lucky gods (Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Hotei) drinking sake. Sake was drunk for celebrations such as New Year and birthdays. A red lacquer sake cup can be seen on this vase next to a sake pourer.

Vase with cockerel-shaped handles, depicting a scene with three lucky gods, Chiddingstone Castle collection, object number 01.1112

Our Object of the Month is a shallow wooden sake cup covered in red lacquer with a gold rim. The high relief designs of treasure ship, crane, and turtle would have been built up by mixing charcoal or clay dust with the lacquer to produce a thickened, raised effect. On the sail of the ship, the character ju, or ‘longevity’ can be seen, with the gold leaf partially rubbed away from use.

The turtle and crane are traditional symbols of longevity in Japan as it was believed they could live for hundreds or thousands of years. Onboard the ship various treasures and lucky items associated with the seven gods can be seen. These include Daikokuten’s magic mallet, which brings forth money when shaken or used to strike something. Also on the ship are the key to the divine treasure house, Hotei’s ‘wish-giving’ fan, and Fukurokuju’s staff. The treasures include precious coral and rolls of silk.

This object is just one of the many objects that form part of Denys Eyre Bower’s five impressive collections which include Ancient Egyptian, Japanese, Buddhist, Stuart and Jacobite, and Books. For more information on these objects, review our Object of the Month series, visit the Historic House and Collections or contact our Curator, Naomi Collick by email or by calling 01892 870347.