Raised Glaze Hokusai and Treasure Boat Lucky Snake Figurine
This exquisite Kutani ware home decor item features a lucky white porcelain snake carrying a precious orb and symbols of good fortune including a treasure bag, treasure chest, red sea bream, and ears of rice. All of these surround an image of a treasure boat voyaging on Hokusai’s Great Wave—the iconically Japanese design of a cresting wave framing Mount Fuji.
The snake, the zodiac sign for 2025. The ability of snakes to shed their skin—like a phoenix rising from the ashes—is the origin of their symbolic meaning of rebirth and new beginnings. Furthermore, the Japanese name for the zodiac snake, mi, can also mean “to acquire riches,” lending its association with wealth. White snakes in particular are highly lucky, as they are believed to be messengers of Benzaiten, the deity associated with prosperity and financial fortune.
This gorgeous piece is bursting with symbolism. First is the treasure bag, a mythical bag said to be carried by one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, Daikokuten. Inside is an inexhaustible supply of food and treasure. This particular treasure bag is adorned with vines, representing a long future, and with shochikubai: a pine, bamboo, and plum pattern classic in Japanese art that symbolizes hope, luck, and longevity.
The piece also incorporates iconic Japanese elements like Hokusai’s Great Wave and Mount Fuji. Its intricate raised patterns are created using the mori-e or nishiki-mori technique, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship.
This figurine comes with its own stand: a black wooden tray with a red felt cloth that lends the item a highly refined and professional presentation. Also included is a small wooden plate with the name of the kiln and the word Kutani in Japanese calligraphy, fully completing the display.
